Roger Boutin 1945-2007
Roger was born in Montreal, Canada in 1945. He found the teachings of Gladys Franklin in 1984 and after visiting her the same year in Wales, he joined the work full time to study, teach, translate, etc.
He came to England in 1991 to work and live with Gladys, helping in all aspects of her work and life. They married in 1993, after which Gladys left her public work and concentrated on herwritings and clarification of her teachings. They both say these have been the happiest years of their life.
Since Gladys passed away in 2000, Roger has continued her work with other disciples through the maintaining of this website, the preparation of her books for publication and the support of newstudents. He has chosen to remain in England, his beloved adoptive country.
Tributes to Roger
From Paul and Pauline
A gentle man, who was always ready to lend a hand. Even when he was unwell he helped me cut the hedge.
He loved England, its history and temperate climate.
Many of those who met and talked with him were impressed by his understanding and especially by his enthusiasm.
If one was ready and willing to learn he would gladly give his time freely.
I was privileged to be his close friend for many years.
A lovely man who had great patience and tolerance with me, ever ready to explain things to help me.
From Colin and Val
On Wednesday 17th January 2007 our brother Roger departed this earth life.
Roger was a true friend to all who wanted to learn of the light. If someone needed help, with anything from understanding the lesson papers through to the mundane task of moving furniture, he would be there to help, even if it meant putting himself out. And his help was always worth having, because when he put his mind to something he would keep at it until he succeeded.
Of course, many will remember Roger for the tremendous support he gave to his wife, our esteemed teacher Gladys Franklin, while she was alive, and his determination to get her books into print after she left us. Although the books are not as well-known as he would have liked, they have a strong presence on the internet and have become invaluable to those who are sincere. We who are Roger’s friends will be honoured to take on the responsibility of widening this work which he carried so ably for so long.
I can remember the day when Roger told me he and Gladys had decided to get married. Some people in the group of that time had their doubts because of the age difference, but I had the feeling that it would work out well, as it proved to do, being of benefit not only to both of them but to the work also. I was overjoyed when they asked me to officiate at their spiritual wedding ceremony, because it was something I could do to bless my friends which would always be with them.
After Gladys died in the year 2000, Roger never allowed himself to sit back and vegetate. Instead he gave help and support to a number of seekers across the world, as well as to those who were close to him. I accompanied him on one of his rare holidays. We went to Paris for a week, existing on a very small budget, but still managing to go almost everywhere. Roger was in a place that he loved and was the perfect guide, and I will always remember those days spent sightseeing and our many discussions concerning history and its legacy, our life now, and of what lies ahead, especially where the work is concerned.
Our last trip together was, however, to London, a city that Roger had come to love like no other. We were admiring the beautiful timbers of Middle Temple Hall, a place where Shakespeare had put on the first performance of Twelfth Night, when Roger said to me: “Seeing these places is always better when you’re sharing the experience with someone else.” Through all the years that I knew Roger, sharing was always something that came naturally to him, and we can only be happy for those in the worlds unseen with whom he will continue to share his knowledge, his experience, and his love.
As a last word, just over a week before Roger died, I saw in vision a plant that was more or less dead. It was pure white, with a number of orange flowers that quickly turned to seed and blew away in the wind. I knew from this that Roger would go very quickly, but that his determination to serve, shown in the orange flowers, would go out like seeds of thought into the atmosphere, able to take root in countless other places. It was his dream, and one that we too can share.
I first met Roger when he came over from Canada to live with Gladys. However, it was only in the last three years, since I joined the group, that I really got to know him; a true friend, always there to help when needed, and totally dedicated to the work of the group.
In 2004 Roger led the service for the renewal of our wedding vows, and we felt very privileged that he was there to do this.
Rog often joined us for Sunday lunch and was a pleasure to cook for, always so appreciative for what he received, and always finishing the meal by saying that it had to be good as it had a special ingredient – love.
Roger’s courage and dignity during the last weeks of his life was an inspiration to us all, and right to the end despite his pain he joined our meetings, passing on the knowledge to others that he had learnt from Glad.
I will remember Roger with love, but always think of him fondly each time we look through a window of a cake shop, almost feeling he is right behind us.
From Denise
Over 2000 years ago Jesus said to Peter, who was a fisherman,’Follow Me and I will make you fishers of Men’.
Not many people know what this really means. Peter, who was understanding something, just left everything, his home, his family, his old way of life. He was ready to learn and he had been approached by a dear teacher, who was willing to show him the way, so that he too may be able to help, not just his family, not just his friends but mankind.
Nearly twenty years ago, Gladys Franklin, our dear Teacher, asked Roger a similar question. Her work had nearly come to a standstill through great opposition, and she needed someone to help her. Who would do such a thing? She didn’t think there would be anyone who would just drop everything and join her.
Roger did just that! It did not take him long, after he had been introduced to Gladys and her work that his inward self realised the value of her tuition. He was a French Canadian but could understand pretty well the English language, so when asked he went to live in England with her. She was very grateful for the support, he was very grateful for the tuition and so a great love developed and they were married some years later.
Gladys herself was still learning how to gain the pearls of life and so together they went through many experiences so that she could write about them and he could put them on the computer so that they would never be lost. Gladys never spared herself the difficulties that came her way if it could help people to understand and prevent them from making so many mistakes. Roger worked by her side supporting in any way he could and preparing her work for the public.
When Gladys passed away in 2000, Roger was all the more determined that her work would not die with her. Colin, another dear friend had started to put together the works of Gladys on a website and Roger, having more free time volunteered to take over. As usual he put his whole self into it and when the site was complete he did not stop there. He approached many different groups to make the work of Gladys recognised. He never refused anyone who asked for help.
His loyalty and dedication, his generosity and enthusiasm are something that we all, his friends hold close to our heart. On 17 January 2007 Roger passed on peacefully, having made every effort to live by the teachings of Gladys.
He left us a great gift, he gave us the possibility of spreading the work of our dear Teacher Gladys. We all now rejoice for him, knowing that he will be able to serve in a wider way.