Laurel Martha Bain-Pitt of Birchgrove, St. Andrew, passed away on Sunday 11th December, 2016
Funeral Mass on Friday, January 6th, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Birchgrove R.C Church
FUNERAL NOTICE | EULOGY
LAUREL MARTHA BAIN-PITT: phenomenal and unforgettable
By Gerry Hopkin, JD
When Marcus Bain (Bayne), from St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Matilda Pierre-Bain, from Birchgrove, Grenada, gave the world baby Laurel Martha, on April 13th, 1919, little did they know that they had given life to a brilliant, phenomenal woman who would go on to positively impact as many lives, as done by Laurel Martha Bain-Pitt, by the date of her departure from among us, on December 11th, 2016.
Teacher Laurel, as she is affectionately best known, would always be:
- remembered and missed as a dear mother of a beautiful daughter, Marlene, and a handsome grandson, Chiron;
- remembered and missed as a trustworthy sister to her surviving sibling, Dorothy Grant (in Trinidad & Tobago), and to the others -- Maggie Peters, Molly Hypolite, Eva Whiteman, Millington Bayne and Hillarious Bayne – who preceded her in departing this life.
Teacher Laurel will always be remembered and missed as a caring and adorable aunt, to: Caedmon St. Hillaire, Agnes Cherubin, Marcia Phillips, Alita Jack, Android Samuel, Aggie Bain, Miele Bain, Judith Whiteman, Sandra Tuitt, Stephanie Coker, Dorothy Greaves, Dorothy Hilllocks, Keith Providence, Marietta Gittens, Elia Fraser, Tony Bain, Allan Whiteman, Earl Hypolite, Irving Whiteman, Jeff, Carlos and Christophe Grant and Keith Forrester.
Additionally, she will always be remembered and missed as a close, caring grand-aunt to Hazel-Ann Melbourne, Gerry Hopkin, Nicole and Nicoleson St Hillaire, and Carelle and Carlene K. Cherebin.
Beyond her immediate and extended family, there are the many students; the many parishioners of the Birchgrove R.C. Church; and the many villagers and fellow public service workmates, who all got to experience the dynamic caring nature of Laurel M. Bain Pitt.
It can be correctly said, that Teacher Laurel was always a teacher, in and out of the classroom, hence folks never stopped calling her Teacher Laurel, even after her transition to the position of Clerk at the Princess Alice Hospital in Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique.
Just as being a teacher was as much a part of her identity beyond her many years in this profession, so to, caregiving and helping others, defined her nature before, during and after her tenure as a Clerk at Princess Alice Hospital.
Specifically, Laurel served as a teacher at Birchgrove RC School, Mt. St. Ervan's RC School and the Pomme Rose RC School, beginning in 1938 up to 1954. Thereafter, as already mentioned, she competently served as the Clerk at Princess Alice from mid 1954 to 1979.
A true believer in the value of education, prior to and during her working years, though of humble means, Teacher Laurel went on to obtain a Diploma from the International Correspondence School in Advanced Level Music (1965). Leading up to her Diploma, she completed a Junior University of Cambridge Certificate with four subjects (1934); a Certificate of Proficiency, 2nd Class (1938); Senior Univ. of Cambridge Standard Credits & Passes (1941); Certificates in Elementary Music & Drawing (1944), and English (1946); as well as, Pitman's Elementary & Intermediate Typewriting (1957 and 1958).
It is noteworthy that accomplishments, such as the ones just mentioned, were rare among Grenadian and Caribbean women of the day, during that period.
An avid reader, Teacher Laurel basically never stopped studying and expanding her academic and other capacities, on an ongoing basis. She lived a life that was full of learning, mentoring and sharing of information. In fact, she was more than a teacher; she was a also a social worker of sorts, given the instrumental role she played in the lives of youths and seniors in the Birchgrove community and beyond.
Laurel M. Bain Pitt was always a source of intelligence, especially with respect to decency, proper diction, vocabulary and etiquette. Her words of encouragement, her material support to those in need, and her inspiration to many -- especially during their formative pre-adolescent and teenage years (the years which matter most) -- will never be forgotten by many.
If you don't believe what you just read, simply have a word with Marlene (her daughter) and Chiron (her grand son), or anyone who really knew her, about how strict and results-oriented Teacher Laurel was as a parent and a life-achiever. She epitomized the definition of a strict mother who was all about self-development and positive results -- no "ifs, "ands," or "buts" were tolerated.
Her legacy as a classy but down-to-earth person, a sharp and articulate teacher, and a magnanimous caregiver, who believed in and promoted discipline -- much of which was done while being an independent parent, placed her ahead of her time in many ways.
May the soul of Teacher Laurel, rest in peace, while we ensure the continued embodiment of her legacy.
Laurel Martha Bain Pitt - you will never be forgotten! Long live your tenaciously assertive and caring spirit!
In no uncertain terms, your memory shall live on forever!