The sudden passing of Anguilla’s beloved former Educator, Mrs. Verna Fahie, has caused, like that of the Rev, Dr. Wycherley Gumbs and Mr. Desmond (Shine) Richardson, much shock and dismay on the island.
Mrs. Fahie, 69, died at her home in Little Harbour on Friday, September 18, after having been seen actively engaged in the community up to the day before, or even earlier on the day of, her passing.
Her sudden departure sent shockwaves particularly among her large number of former students and the teaching fraternity across Anguilla. Many of them turned to social media platforms to lament her passing and to lavish praise on her for her work in education, coupled with voluntary service in that field – all totalling a period of half a century.
Mrs. Fahie was born in Anguilla. She was the daughter of the late Repertha Hazell of South Hill and the late Stanley Sebastian, a Water Engineer in St. Kitts. A product of a large and close-knit family, she was the niece of the late Kenneth Hazell, a former Anguillian Elected Representative in the then St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla Legislature; and the late Principal of the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School which bears his name.
A brilliant student, bent on success, she was among a number of Anguillian secondary school students who completed their Sixth Form education at the St. Kitts Grammar School. Upon graduation, she immediately returned to her native Anguilla in 1970 to commence what would be a long, dedicated, rewarding and successful teaching career. She quickly became known and highly-respected, for her strictness of purpose, discipline and patriotism that characterised her varied hallmark contributions to her island home – over the years.
On September 11, 1970, she began serving as a temporary teacher at The Valley Secondary School, her alma mater, then the highest level of education on the island. There she taught Biology, French, Spanish and Latin. After much teaching experience and training, she eventually rose to the position of Chief Education Officer in Anguilla.
A chronology of her achievements has been given in a statement, on her sudden passing, by the newly-appointed Minister of Social Development and Education, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers. The Minister took the opportunity, on behalf of her Ministry, the Department of Education, and the entire teaching fraternity, “to extend condolences to the extended family, friends and former colleagues of the late Mrs. Verna Fahie.”
The Minister’s statement continued: “In October 1973, she [Mrs, Fahie] began graduate studies in Natural Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, in Barbados. On completion of her studies, she was promoted to the post of Graduate Teacher on 01 June 1976. In 1982, she completed a Diploma in Education at the School of Education, UWI, in Barbados.
“She was promoted to the post of Deputy Principal (Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School) on 01 January 1994. Prior to this, she performed the duties of Head of the Science Department and Senior Teacher responsible for examination matters.
“One year later, on 01 March 1995, she was appointed Education Officer, Examinations and Teacher Development at the Department of Education. She worked in this capacity for three years before her promotion to Education Planner at the Ministry of Education on 9th August 2000. Mrs. Fahie was promoted to the post of Chief Education Officer on 9 October 2001, and remained in that position until her retirement on 18 July 2006.
“Mrs. Fahie continued to serve in several paid and voluntary roles in the education sector following her retirement and up to her sudden death.
“The Ministry and Department of Education are eternally grateful to Mrs. Fahie for the decades of committed service to Education and to the children of Anguilla.”
The Governor and the Deputy Governor, via Facebook, have also conveyed their condolences – and have thanked Mrs. Fahie for her service as a former member of the Anguilla Public Service Commission.
Following her retirement from the Anguilla Public Service, Mrs. Fahie assumed the management of the FedEx Office in Anguilla and was a popular figure making her delivery rounds across the island. For this business and community service, like her contributions to education, she will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband, fellow Anguillian, Mr. Fabian Marcel Fahie, an Economist; Business Adviser; a 1969 St. Kitts-Nevis State Scholar; and a former Permanent Secretary in Anguilla; their two children, Kamau Fahie, PhD, and Monifa Fahie, PhD – both Bio-Chemists and Molecular Biology Research Specialists in the United States; and various other close and extended relatives in the Fahie and Hazell families in Anguilla.
The family’s home, where Mr. Fahie resides, has been inundated by a flurry of visits and telephone calls from the rank and file of the community – expressing condolences. Mr. Fahie, his children, and other relatives, are most grateful for, and comforted by, such an outpouring of love and support.
The Anguillian newspaper offers profound condolences to Mrs Fahie’s families and friends.
May Mrs. Fahie’s soul rest in peace.
