Lady Anne Laid to Rest
Family, Friends Pay Last Respect
By Suelika N. Buchanan
(Basseterre; St. Kitts): Lady Anne- the Labour Stalwart, Lady Anne- defender of the poor, Lady Anne- "uplifter" of women, Lady Anne- family matriarch, Lady Anne- skillful raconteur, Lady Anne, determined, confident, persuasive, charming, effective, fearless-Lady Anne.
Anne Eliza Liburd (MBE) affectionately known as Lady Anne was laid to rest yesterday, Tuesday, Sep. 25 at the Springfield Cemetery in Basseterre, following a thanksgiving service at the Patsy Allers Playing Field, beginning around 2 p.m.
Hundreds of persons from all walks of life paid their last tribute to Liburd who died on Sep. 13, 2007 at the age of 87.
Family, friends, Caribbean leaders, politicians, along with members of the Caribbean Women's Association (CARIWA) to which Liburd was a member of for many years gave fond memories of Lady Anne for her strong and dedicated character.
Some of those who paid tribute included the Central Basseterre Labour Branch, Sports Organizations, Labour Women, Hon. Harold Lovell of Antigua, Thelma Phillip-Browne and more.
"I will always remember you as a strong woman who was gentle enough to make all your children and me know you cared," said Dr. Eustace Esdaille, Professor of Accounting at the University in St. Thomas. "I loved everything about you, your laughter, the smooth way you switched from Standard English to raw Antiguan twang, your dignity, the power and excitement of your preaching and your kindness."
Nelcia Robinson, Coordinator of the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action said she was one who learnt at Liburd's feet.
"The Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action celebrates, with thanksgiving, the life of the Hon. Anne Liburd, MBE, she stated. "We acknowledge the central role she played in building the Caribbean Women's Association (CARIWA) as a pilar for the Caribbean Women's Movement."
Greta Lewis said that Liburd had her utmost respect and admiration.
"It was for whom she was and what she represented to us young women, she was an excellent public speaker, forceful, she told you what she had to say but still loved you," she said. "Lady Anne Liburd was born in Antigua, but we Kittitians claim her as our own, she belonged to us all, she was ours, she was Kittitian-Nevisian."
According to a Reflection account on Liburd’s life it stated that among the images that best captures the spirit of Lady Anne, is that of Anne as a young woman in the 1940's long before the roads of St. Kitts were properly paved, long before streetlights dotted almost every corner, long before women calmly took their place in all spheres of activity.
"Long before all of that, there was just Anne, mounting her very simple bicycle day after day, come rain or shine, to pedal her way along the island Main Road, all the way from Basseterre to the waiting children of Trinity whom it was her responsibility to teach. No Mattingly Heights or West Haven to make the ride less lonely, no gardens or a Lime Kiln Housing to make the trek less long, just Anne- the young determined woman."
The Eulogy was delivered by Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, parliamentarian for Central Basseterre while the meditation or message was delivered by Rev. Dr. Oldain Charles.
Liburd leaves to mourn her husband Clement Liburd, children Tyrone, Ronan, Karlweis, Juni and Marcella Liburd along with several grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her son the late Clarence Fitzroy Bryant.
The Honourary Pall bearers were Governor General, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor, Clement Liburd Sr., Vere Bird Jr., Hon. Earl Asim Martin, Hon. Harold Lovell, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, Rev. Walter Skerritt and Kayode Liburd.
