The National Funeral for Anguilla’s Revolutionary Heroine, Mrs. Romania Montford (Monty) Hodge, at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church on Saturday, October 13, was completed on Tuesday this week, October 16, with the interment at the Sandy Hill Cemetery.
Following the weekend National Service her body had to be returned to Rey’s Funeral Home due to heavy rain which flooded the cemetery.
The interment was preceded by, a three-volley gun salute by a police firing party and the presentation of the National Flag, which draped the casket, to a family member.
The National Funeral, conducted by the Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks, assisted by Lay Preacher, Mr. Chrispen Gumbs, was attended by a large gathering from across the island including Government officials.
Tributes in song and music were presented by a number of persons – before and during the service – including members of the Police Community Band and the Anguilla Jubilee Choir.
The official tribute, on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla, was delivered by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, Elected Representative for District 2 in which the deceased resided. The Minister praised the late freedom fighter for her outstanding contribution to the success of the Anguilla Revolution and for being among some 27 women in the vanguard of the historic event.
The Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Pam Webster, also joined in speaking highly about the deceased.
Former Chief Minister, Mr. Osbourne Fleming, who spoke as a past Elected Representative of District 2 and a family friend, said he could not do without travelling from St. Croix to pay his last respects to Monty and to support her family.
In delivering the sermon, Bishop Brooks took the opportunity to speak about some of Monty’s well-known qualities of life which made her a popular person in the community.
In addition to the official tributes accorded to her, flags were again flown at half-mast during her interment on Tuesday afternoon this week. Monty was born on August 11, 1926 and passed away on September 19,2018.
