Family and friends found what may have been their “Balm of Gilead” as they listened to the comforting tributes paid by a number of persons to their beloved icon, the late Melvina (Mel) Diana Reid, of South Valley. She died just short of her 84th birthday on March 17, 2016 and was laid to rest on March 26 following the Thanksgiving Service at the Ebenezer Methodist Church in The Valley.
She was eulogised by various persons as having been an outstanding community and church worker, possessing such qualities as generosity, humility, honesty, kindness and selflessness.
Writing in the funeral brochure, the Ebenezer congregation stated in part: “Ebenezer was truly blessed for having her dwell among us. She loved her God and her Church. She took care of the Chapel and its grounds for many years. She took pride in what she considered “her church”. Mel would be the last one to leave Ebenezer on a Saturday evening and the first one to come in on a Sunday morning to give the church a ‘brush up”, she would say.”
One person who knew Mel very well and gave the main tribute, was retired public servant, Mr. Ralph Hodge, who described her as having been “a wonderful cousin, friend, peer and confidant” of his mother. “Whenever I would meet Melvina she would be so excited shouting: “Ralph, how is cousin Ruby?” he recalled. He continued: “In a similar fashion, when I meet Basil (one of her sons) he would say ‘Cous’ before any further discussion. Those greetings have been embedded and nurtured in the very close and inseparable relationship between my mother, Ruby, and Melvina. They lived lives of absolute simplicity and humility – qualities that have been passed on to their children.”
Mr. Hodge continued: “Too often we tend to judge life by socio-economic standards, by quality of dress, and the financial qualities of life. But how wrong! Let me make it emphatically clear that my way of thinking indicates that the finer, gentler, caring qualities possessed by my departed cousin are the qualities that will build a more prosperous, sane and caring Anguilla which our future generations deserve and willed to us by our fore parents.
“I know my mother is grieving Mel’s loss as if it was one of her own children, but death is that common denominator in the lives of all human beings. The relationship nurtured by both of them will live on in the lives of their children and their generations. We are proud of the standards set by Mel and will do everything in our power to continue your work on the earth.”
The Formal Remembrance was delivered by Mel’s son-in-law, Mr. Ira Richardson (DJ Ritchie). “She was an inspiration and touched the hearts of many who came into contact with her,” he said. “Throughout her life Mel persevered through adversity, but she has left a legacy of love, compassion, always giving and caring about the wellbeing of others. Mel always put herself second in line with those who were in need of assistance, or persons she just purely cared for. Mel always kept her priorities straight. The love and care for family and friends remained her focus.”
He pointed out that Mel was “a hardworking lady who single-handedly raised her children, acting the dual roles of mother and father; and did everything in her power to provide for them.”
Mr. Richardson added: “She has left a wonderful legacy and a wonderful example to follow. Keep focused on what is truly important, not only when your life is easy, but when it is difficult too.”
The officiating Ministers were Reverend Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, who delivered the sermon; Reverend Joseph Lloyd; Reverend Dunstan Richardson and Reverend John A. Gumbs.
Mel is survived by sons Kelvin “Dow” Reid, Russel Reid, Melvin “Earthlite” Reid, Alphonso ‘Jay Youth’ Reid, Basil Reid and Selwyn “Nana” Reid; daughters Petronella Reid-Richardson, Marie Barbara Reid and Eleanor Reid; and many other family members, other relatives and friends. The Anguillian offers its condolences to all of them.
