The late quiet and beloved church woman, women’s leader and community worker, Mrs. Rowena Carty, was laid to rest near the foundation of the Bethel Methodist Church on Friday, July 22. She shares the tomb of her husband, the Reverend C. L. Carty, MBE, who passed away in 1994. She died on July 10, 2016, at the age of 98.
An insight into her life and service was delivered by Mr. David Carty, one of her two sons. Speaking on behalf of himself, his brother, Lenny, and their families, he said: “Our mother lived a long and purpose-filled life and in that there can be no other emotion than one of gratitude. This remembrance, therefore, is simply one of saying thanks to those who helped her through the years and for her life.” He included his extended family, his immediate family, the Methodist Clergy especially their wives, the Local Preachers, those who became like her own, the wider church, and God for guiding her through an eventful life and using her in so many ways.
Mrs. Carty was born in the hills of St. Mary’s, Jamaica, on April 15, 1918, the fourth daughter of a Presbyterian Pastor, Joseph George Peterkin, and his wife, Gertrude. There she met Reverend Carty then a theological student and preacher. On completion of his training he was posted to Antigua. She later travelled there where they were married in 1943. Over the years she accompanied him on various postings in the Leeward Islands District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas. It was in St. Martin/St. Maarten, in the 1950s, where Reverend Carty was busily engaged with seven churches that Mrs. Carty undertook to assist him, taking on the role of a Local Preacher in all the other territories where he was posted including Belize, in her own unique style and spiritual dedication. She and Reverend Carty eventually settled in Anguilla in 1980, on retirement, where she also served as a Local Preacher. (Earlier, Rev. Carty obtained leave of the church to serve his homeland during the Anguilla Revolution.)
In addition to Mrs. Carty’s Local Preacher’s ministry in Anguilla, she began working with other women to develop support systems for womenfolk across the island, resulting in the formation of the National Council of Women in 1982 with her as its first President. It comprised members of the Anglican Church Women’s Association, the Methodist Women’s League, the Soroptimist and Lioness Clubs and some 22 other women groups – influencing civil society and government to become more proactive in the lives of women. Among other things, this led to the establishment of a very successful Craft Shop in 1983 and other initiatives for women development.
David Carty also spoke about his mother’s work in home and family life and other related matters. “In essence, our mother’s life was an example of faithfulness – faithfulness to those she loved and worked with and, above all, to her faith in God,” he concluded.
Mrs. Carty was spoken of highly by Bishop Charles E. Seaton of the Methodist Church in the Leeward Islands District in the Caribbean and the Americas. He sent an emailed Letter of Condolence which was read by Reverend Joseph Lloyd. It stated in part: “The Leeward Islands District Conference of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas deeply regrets the passing of the late Sister Rowena Carty, wife of our dear departed Reverend C. Leonard Carty. Mrs Carty served the church faithfully and was a Minister in her own right as she worked along with her husband. Her friendliness, fortitude and strength of character will remain an inspiration to many.
“May her soul rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon her. We commit to God’s care and keeping her sons Lenny and David and their families. We are confident that God’s sustaining grace is sufficient for you especially in this time of need.”
The Reverend Dr. S. Wilfred Hodge, conveyed greetings and condolences on behalf of all Methodist Ministers and their wives in Anguilla. He also delivered a personal statement on behalf of his wife and himself regarding the close relationship they enjoyed with Mrs. Carty.
Reverend Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, welcomed the large number of persons from the Methodist community and other churches “who came to celebrate the life of Mrs. Carty whom he described as “A Saint of God.” Among the gathering were Government officials, clergy and representatives from other churches and members of the Soroptimist Club of Anguilla and the National Council of Women.
Rev. Dr. Gumbs commented on how Mrs. Carty’s quiet strength, beautiful life and friendship, had impacted the lives of Local Preachers and Ministers of the Methodist Church, including his wife and himself, as well as all other persons who came into contact with her. His sermon, taken from the Book of Hebrews, was based on a list of heroes and heroines of the faith and the suffering, hope and joy they shared while “surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who had gone before” them.
The full cadre of Ministers who officiated at the celebration of Mrs. Carty’s life were Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs; Rev. Joseph Lloyd; Rev. Franklin Roberts; Rev. Dr. S. Wilfred Hodge and Rev. Velina Petit. The organist was Mr. Devaunie Richardson.
