by Marston Gregory
Hadidjah (Sarellen) Browdie Gregory (1943 – 2025)
It is with both sadness and joy for her, to report that after a fall, then hip surgery, Hadidjah whispered “Allah in each breath” as she left this World. She is on her way home to now be fully one with her creator. I was honored to be at her bedside.
She is survived by her brother Richard Browdie who lives in Washington D.C. Her other brother David Browdie, MD passed away last year.
Her last days were difficult with onset of memory loss and many other challenging health issues. Memory loss was very difficult for her since memory was one of her gifts.
Hers was a life of service in three key elements, Subud, AA, and her marriage, in her extraordinary life of service to others. She was a woman of many talents, from art which was her true work, plus many healthcare roles including caring for the elderly with Catholic Community Services and food service. She trained to be a Medical Technician and worked on the staff of doctors and in a hospital.
She said often that she “Was Subud” and she demonstrated that also by being a fully engaged helper. She filled roles as a local helper in San Diego, Marin, Los Angeles, Austin and finally Seattle until she became an Honorary Retired Helper. She also was a Subud USA National Helper and Subud PNW Regional Helper. A phrase she repeated often is a Bapak quote “You are Subud” and she lived that each day.
Another very important role was her work in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which she discovered after her opening in Subud, she was addicted to Alcohol which was self-medication for recovering from the loss of both parents by the time she was fourteen. She was able to turn that tragic past into a life of healing and helping others. After 60 years of sobriety, she was an inspiration to many women who she sponsored.
She had a dream that she was at the gates of heaven and was asked, “What did you do on earth?” She replied, “I fed people”. She then immediately got a job at Microsoft in their catering department and often served the young Bill Gates. I believe that was a symbol of her life of service. She prayed over every drink for Bill. She prayed that his life was to be of service to humanity and indeed that has manifested.
As her partner, friend and spouse it has been 51 years of love with this dear soul who fought and won so many challenges.
A memorial is being planned at the Seattle Subud Center at around 100 days from her passing. She passed on November 2, 2025. The ceremony will be announced at a later date.
May God in his love and mercy make her passage easy.
Her devoted Husband, Marston Gregory
Link to photos of Hadidjah from Rachman Cantrell
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WjdpYePxXtU3khg49
