BASSETERRE ST. KITTS (June 5, 2009) -- The Governor General His Excellency Sir Dr Cuthbert Sebastian and Prime Minister the Hon Dr Denzil Douglas led hundreds of persons who turned out at the funeral of Margaret Elizabeth Georgina Harris held at the Estridge Moravian Church Thursday afternoon, June 4.
Margaret Harris better known as Tanty, a well known resident and community leader from Tabernacle Village, was the mother of the Hon Dr Timothy Harris, Member of Parliament for Constituency St Christopher 7 and Federal Minister of Finance, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
A dedicated mother of nine surviving children, she was also the mother of Lenworth Harris, General Manager of the Development Bank of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Glenville Harris, Donna Harris, Dwight Harris, Denzil Harris, Correta Harris, Vincia Chiverton and Janine Harris are her other children.
Fearing that the expectant skies might unleash showers of rain, mourners had started arriving at the church long before the official funeral time of 2:30 pm, and the crowds spilled over into three large tents that had been set up outside on the church premises. Those under the tents followed the proceedings via large flat screen monitors. As expected rain fell during the service, which many attributed as being a heavenly blessing for the departed soul.
Kittitians and Nevisians from all walks of life joined with the Harris’ family to give their mother a bridal send off on her final journey on earth. Among them were Dr Harris’ cabinet colleagues who also included the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Sam Condor and a delegation from the Nevis Island Administration led by Agriculture, Lands and Housing Minister Hon Robelto Hector who represented Premier Hon Joseph Parry.
Also present were members of the diplomatic and consular corps, high ranking members of the business fraternity in the Federation, many professional bodies, and senior civil servants. The service, both at the church and at the graveside was led by Rev Jeremy Francis assisted by Pastor Edward Phipps, a nephew of the deceased.
Minister Harris read his mother’s eulogy in which he described her as a loving and firm woman who did everything to ensure that she met the needs and aspirations of her children, for which she was blessed with success, while his youngest sister Janine Harris gave reflections of their departed mother..
Tributes in song were paid by Edger T Morris Primary School, Saiyan Harris (a granddaughter of the deceased), staff of Central Purchasing Unit, Martha Archibald, Rohance Brookes (a grandson of the deceased), staff of National Housing Corporation during the viewing of the body. Other tributes during the service came from the staff of HM Prison, Development Bank, Ministry of Finance, Labour Women Group, the Constituency #7 Labour Branch, a solo by Larry Vaughn and the Estridge Moravian Senior Choir.
