The passing of Mrs. Nardine Lake, of Pond Ground, East End, was announced on Wednesday morning this week, January 9, one month short of her 69th birthday.
Sister Nardine, as she was widely known, died at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Her passing follows a period of illness at her home, as well as a short time in England.
She is fondly remembered as an outstanding Anguillian woman in several areas of her life. She was one of the island’s brave and committed heroines who stood in the vanguard of the Anguilla Revolution.A product of an island with a rich cultural history on which to build a meaningful social and political future, Sister Nardine was proud of her involvement in the Anguilla Revolution.
It was therefore with a measure of pride and patriotismthat she addressed students at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School in the run-up to the Anguilla Day celebrations in 2007. She spoke with much passion and enthusiasm on her role and that of other women, in the Revolution, and her love for her island home. She was awarded a Medal of Honour and a Queen’s Certificate in 1998 for her part in the Anguilla Revolution.
Sister Nardine is remembered for being a modern-day Samaritan.She demonstrated a caring love for the young,the elderly and the needy. Several children found a nurturing home at her residence and today have grown up to be adults with direction and purpose in their lives and examples of caring love for their children and families. She loved them as she lovedher own.
Sister Nardine lived a simple, humble and sacrificial life, forsaking much of the world’s material pleasures for a life of Christian commitment and service to her God and fellowmen. She neglected herself to serve others without counting the cost and gracefully endured the strain, finding much pleasure in her voluntary work. Her admirers could only marvel at how thinly and compassionately she shared herself.
Sister Nardine is remembered as a devout Christian in the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church. There, she held several positions over the years, includingLocal Elder, Sabbath School Superintendent, Church Treasurer, Deaconess and Community Services representative. It was her abiding faith in God that sustained her throughout her illness and gave her the same hope, peace and comfort she so willingly shared with others in her lifetime.
Though physically ailing, and unable to cope with her domestic chores, Sister Nardine took care of her chronicallyill husband, Claudius, himself a well-known freedom fighter, who was wounded in the Anguilla Revolution.For friends, and other persons looking on, hers was a demonstration of love and commitment worth emulating in all its beauty and dedication in family life on the island.
Sister Nardine is remembered as one of Anguilla’s fine cake makers, whose baking craft was sought for weddings, parties, birthdays and other social functions.
As a young woman, Sister Nardine is known to have enjoyed serving as a Nursing Assistant. This, no doubt helped to shape her into a caring and compassionate person later on in life.
Over the years, she attracted scores of close friends, many of whom have had the opportunity of joining with her close-knit family to interact with her and to bring her comfort during her illness. From all ofthem she has now taken her leave and is at rest waiting to meet her Redeemer.
She was a woman greatly beloved, irreplaceable and an inspiration to all who knew her.
The Anguillian offers its condolences to the sorrowing family and friends of the late Sister Nardine Lake. Details of her family members, the thanksgiving service and interment will be given later.
May she rest in Peace.
