| Both the nations of Antigua and Anguilla endeavoured to honour and remember Dame Bernice at her official funeral in Antigua on Friday, September 16, 2011. As the proceedings were broadcast live via television in some islands, and radio in Anguilla, this is likewise a humble summary highlighting the proceedings for those who may have missed them at the time. The Two State Solution describes, of course, the additional local Memorial Service held here in Anguilla, on Monday, at Saint Mary’s Church in The Valley, as reported elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian. |
As was well known, Dame Bernice loved and cherished Anguilla in very special ways as a native daughter of our nation and its unique, hardscrabble heritage and society. Simply put, she was born and raised, and retired here; and on visiting Antigua from time to time, was quick to return. At her home in The Forest, she was lovingly cared for by intrepid friends and relatives, Messrs. Sydney and Jesse “Tucker” Gumbs, and Ms. Noreen Charles. Dame Lake often observed that she enjoyed a good, well-cared for life in Anguilla. The home was often crowded with her family, from Antigua, as she adored her numerous nieces and nephews, the grown children (in addition to the array of the children’s children) and most often, her brother, the eminent surgeon, Cuthwin Lake, MD.
The Antigua funeral and surrounding events were heartwarmingly fitting and superb. The “Antiguan State” benediction regaled her life and times and, in evocative and symbolic ways, she was laid to rest with classic honours including a three gun salute and military taps. Government and members of the bar formed a sea of dignitaries, complemented by people from throughout the Caribbean who assembled for the service in the diminutive village of Parham. The day was brilliantly sunny, and the trade winds swept crisp, fresh breezes into Saint Peter’s Parish Church throughout the events of the day.
Listening to the tributes, one could imagine the service was occurring in Anguilla, as Mr. Foster Rogers was the first to pay homage with a stirring vocal rendition of No More Night. An eloquent homily was then rendered by the Honorable Walcott Richardson. It is especially touching to note that the Walcott Richardson family sent a beautiful get-well card that was hand-delivered to Dame Bernice, which she reportedly opened and read prior to her untimely passing. As Ms. Lake might have colloquially said: It reached!
Most notable was the palpable eulogy offered by her brother, Dr. Cuthwin Lake. He enjoyed an inseparable, devoted life with his younger sister Bernice and recounted endearing childhood moments that long preceded her countless accolades in later life.
In turn, the Prime Minister of Antigua, the Honorable W. Baldwin Spencer, was exceptionally articulate in his tribute to Dame Bernice, including an appeal to nurture the Caribbean Court of Justice in her memory. He acknowledged that Dame Bernice had commented regarding this process and had offered advice to the region regarding the path and timing of the Court during her later years. From the flag at half-mast to the three-gun salute, to her medal of knighthood, and the military procession, the Antiguan marks of distinction were unmatched for her official funeral. Such grand efforts will surely be noted and fondly remembered throughout the region.
Other notables from Anguilla included the Honourable Evan Gumbs and Honourable Jerome Roberts, as well as Mr. Sam Webster, the intrepid Island Harbour fisherman, as he now fulfills full-time governmental responsibilities. (Island Harbour was also notably a source of great pleasure for Bernice and Cuthwin, who often took a drive together through the village, looking out at the boats in the harbour and hoping to purchase fresh fish.)
Mr. Victor Banks was also in attendance, as he engaged both family and many friends throughout the congregation during the afternoon. The long list of other Anguillian and OECS legal dignitaries has been reported elsewhere, and is too lengthy to recite here, but the luminary that made the service sound and feel as if it took place in Anguilla was the officiating Minister, The Rt. Reverend Errol Brooks. Godliness penetrated the service the moment he rose and spoke. The trappings of the official funeral paled before the dignity of humankind as a work of God. Bishop Brooks preached to the congregation and family with personal knowledge of Dame Bernice’s path with stirring, clear assurance. As he towered in the high dais of the church, with bright sunlight at his back, the presence of God was surely felt by all. His words helped usher the devout and deserving soul into Heaven and offered afterlife assurances to the remaining, humble mortals. The interment ceremony and three gun salute were pious and personal, as Bishop Brooks led the congregants by the gravesite. After the close of the funeral, relatives and friends proceeded to the family home and celebrated Dame Bernice’s life with an evening of food, drink, tales and tributes. During that commemoration and thanksgiving, many people remarked about the unduplicated tranquility of the Saint Peter’s churchyard cemetery. The idyllic environment of the grave is enveloped by a small forest of mahogany trees that gently slopes down toward the sea. The mahogany canopy is so substantial that ferns and moss grow in abundance, in the shady breezes and serenity of the hillside. With the occasional bird song, village children play happily nearby. Her blessed remains will be meticulously attended by the Saint Peter’s Church members that include her devoted nieces, Dr. Carmen Lake (Mrs. Carmen Lake-Watt) and Mrs. Lucinda Lake-Michael. It is well-known to friends and loved ones that they both share Dame Bernice’s beauty, intellect, strong will and devotion to family. |
