UPDATE: Corrine S. Brewley gets colourful send-off; remembered as VIP stalwart
Amidst the singing and well wishing done by a chosen few at the viewing ceremony, there were those who were afforded the privilege of giving brief tributes. Among those was Member for the First District Honourable Andrew A. Fahie.
Like others, Hon Fahie spoke of the cheerful and pleasant personality of Ms Brewley and said that there is no doubt that the many fond memories of her life will live on.
Hon Fahie represented both the First District and the Virgin Islands Party as he said she was a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) stalwart. “Corrine Brewley loved the British Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands loved Corrine Brewley. She was a stalwart stateswoman in her own regard and a strong vibrant and active member of the Virgin Islands Party family,” said Hon Fahie.
According to Hon Fahie, she contributed significantly toward the growth and development of the VIP and the VI as a whole to the extent that they are immeasurable. “Our cultural and festival celebrations have lost a true icon. “The banking fraternity valued her contributions as indeed she was true to her duty but always with compassion and empathy,” he added.
Ms Brewley was especially remembered for her great taste and passion for fashion. A close friend of hers said, “If you want to know how to dress look at Corrine, if you want to be professional look at Corrine. I believe if Corrine’s house was on fire, I believe she would have asked the fireman to hold let her get dressed and for her to put on her nice make up and such like.” This statement was met with loud bouts of laughter and many acknowledged that to be true.
The church service followed the viewing ceremony and took on a very simple yet impressive format. According to the programme booklet the Eulogy was done by Ms Patsy Lake. Prayers were also offered as well as singing of hymns, scripture reading and the sermon.
The officiating Ministers were Reverend Charles Seaton and Sister Sylvia Adams. Hon. Fahie was the Organist for the service.
As the family of Ms Corrine S. Brewley laid her in her final resting place, they had this message for those who were touched by her life.
“Feel no guilt in laughter; she’d know how much you care. Feel no sorrow in a smile that she is not here to share. You cannot grieve forever; she would not want you to. She’d hope that you could carry on the way you always do. So talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared, the days you spent together all the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you, a word someone may say will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day that brings her back as clearly as though she were still here and fills you with the feeling that she is always near. For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart and she will live forever lock safely within your heart.”
At the request of the family no photographs were taken of Ms Brewley’s body as it laid in the very decorated casket at the viewing this morning. So for those who chose not to view, they will carry the fond memories of her while she was alive.
The late Ms Corrine Sylvantia Brewley is now at rest as her body lays in peace at the Road Town Methodist Cemetery.
See previous story posted November 7, 2013:
‘Bright coloured’ funeral for Corrine Brewley on Saturday Nov. 9
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The family of the late daughter of the Virgin Islands, Mrs Corrine S. Brewley has announced that the festival icon will be laid to rest on Saturday November 9, 2013.
Mrs Brewley passed away suddenly on October 28, 2013.
All arrangements have been put in place for those persons to pay their final respects as the general public can view the body at the Chapel of Davis Funeral Home in Purcell Estate on Friday November 8, 2013 from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Synonymous with her bright and cheerful personality that has touched the hearts and lives of so many, the family is requesting that persons attending the funeral wear bright colours.
The funeral service for the late Corrine S. Brewley will take place on Saturday November 9, 2013 at the Road Town Methodist Church. Viewing will be done from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. to be immediately followed by the service.
Interment will take place at the Road Town Methodist Cemetery.
The death of Mrs Brewley came as a shock to many, including Fifth District Representative Honourable Delores Christopher. “This is very shocking, very shocking,” was the first response of Hon. Christopher when contacted by Virgin Islands News Online. Mrs Brewley was a resident of the Fifth District.
According to Hon. Christopher, the closest she worked with Ms Brewley was recently as they were together with others actively planning activities for the 60th Anniversary of Emancipation Festival to be observed in 2014. “What I can tell you is that Corrine was a people’s person. She worked and associated very well with everyone, the young and the old. She had a special quality that kept her environment very lively.”
“She has touched lives beyond these shores, in the USA, the USVI and even further and I am sure that all those persons are saddened by the news of her passing,” Hon. Christopher had stated.
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