Published 13 October 2021
Basseterre
Buckie Got It, St.Kitts and Nevis News Source
TRIBUTE TO A DEAR MATRIARCH WHO LIVED FOR 104 YEARS.
What a wonderful achievement of living a peaceful, stable and gracious life for over 10 decades! To have loved, struggled, succeeded and survived for more than 38,150 days is a rare and amazing journey.
Mrs. Elizabeth “DiDi” Glasford of Dieppe Bay Town, St Kitts and Nevis, and Upstate NY, USA was an impressively private Lady. I can see her now from my recollection —tall, dignified, savvy, friendly and motherly in every way. In addition to her passion for respect, she was grateful for the small blessings we so often take for granted. I admire most of all her power-packed faith in God, and the spiritual enrichment I felt whenever I communicated with her or was in her company. I can hear her now, haltingly pouring out her thanksgiving to God when we spoke on her 104th birthday in March this year. She believed in the goodness and mercies of heaven and remained a righteous warrior to the very end.
She also had a fierce commitment to help others while caring for friends and family with breathless selflessness.
Despite her deep and wide experience, and being blessed but challenged to deliver and rear seven children, Mrs. Glasford witnessed so many revolutionary changes, technological disruptions, deadly wars, brutal economic downturns, and bright social dynamics, enough to burden the soul. Yet, she seldom compared her own history with unfolding times. She ably adjusted to the changes both in the wider world and in her own bodily functions.
As she continued to age with dignity and grace, it was her pristine joy, strength of character, courage, wisdom, beauty, maturity and longsuffering that touched my life through her son David “Uncle Man” and inspired all of us students and other commuters from Constituency #6.
Today, sadly, we mourn her departure but celebrate her unforgettable presence on Earth. As we weep and smile together, I have confidence that she will rise in the glory of the Resurrection, and rest in the sweet peace of her loving Savior!
Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Leader of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis (1995-2015).
