The late Geneva C. Harrigan-Lettsome was buried in Anguilla on October 9, 2016. Photo: Provided

Inside the New Life Baptist Church in Duffs Bottom during the funeral service for the late Geneva C. Harrigan-Lettsome on October 8, 2016. Photo: Facebook

Grandson of the late Geneva C. Harrigan-Lettsome, Karl 'Dubb' Scatliffe making his tribute. Photo: Facebook

DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – It was nothing less than the expected emotional celebration of the life of Mrs Geneva C. Harrigan-Lettsome on Saturday October 8, 2016 at the New Life Baptist Church in Duffs Bottom where hundreds gathered to pay tribute in one way or the other.

Anguillan by birth but Virgin Islander by naturalisation, Ms Harrigan-Lettsome died on September 27, 2016. She was said to be the mother of all mothers who lived a legendary life and has left a healthy legacy for others to emulate.

Several persons gave their tribute but other than the powerful singing of a male family member, the magical voice of granddaughter Zharia O’Neal who did one of the scripture readings and a poem ‘Magical’ which she composed for her grandmother, and a heart touching rendition done by Mrs Donna Cline-Thomas, there was the tribute by grandson Karl ‘Dubb’ Scatliffe.

‘Don’t drop the baton’

Scatliffe’s time at the podium had the undivided attention of every person as the meat of his presentation sounded out the question, “Who will carry on the legacy of holding the family together the way 'Mema' did?”

“Do not let the Baton fall,” was the title of the short yet pulsating message preached by Bishop John I. Cline at the service.

There were several written tributes printed in the remembrance booklet, one from each of her children, leaders of Government and others who were close to the ‘fallen mother of Huntums Ghut’.

In her tribute, First Lady and daughter of Ms Harrigan-Lettsome, Mrs Lorna G. Smith OBE reflected that it was in 2015 when the family had celebrated their family reunion that her mother remarked that it would have been her last time in Anguilla and “We all scoffed... I am happy though that you had those four days with your large extended family and friends.”

Mrs Smith recalled that when her youngest sister Deborah “Debbie” had called to say their mother was having a high fever and was being taken to Eureka, they all thought it was a routine event. “And you recovered after a few days at Bougainvillea and went home. Even when you had suffered a mild stroke and returned there we thought you would bounce back. And you tried so hard to do so for us. On your last Friday when you raised your hands to the sky and your brilliant smile lit up the room we danced with joy but in the end God had other plans,” recalled Mrs Smith.

Saturday’s celebration ceremony was the first stage of laying the body of Ms Harrigan-Lettsome to rest.

Immediately after the funeral service, the family started preparing to head out to Anguilla. According to Mrs Harrigan-Lettsome's son and Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), who delivered the Eulogy, “It was Mema’s wish to be laid to rest in her birth place, Anguilla, next to her mother and sisters. As a family, we will honour this with her burial in Sandy Hill, Anguilla on Sunday (yesterday). We are comforted that she is already resting in peace.”