BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - ON the outer doors of the Kajola Kristada complex purple ribbons are mounted and it is business as usual on the inside, but the workers there conduct their chores with an obvious void that will not soon be filled.
The void was created with the sudden passing of their colleague, supervisor, friend and confidant Adelaide Francis.
The sad event took place on Saturday (Jan. 18) and, according to information received by this publication, Francis was aboard an American Airlines flight which left New York en route to St. Kitts when she fell ill. Resultantly, the flight crew made the decision to land in Bermuda where assistance awaited. She however did not survive the ordeal.
There was a twist to the workday yesterday (Jan. 20) - in comparison to others - as a moment of silence was observed by the staff and management in remembrance of their departed colleague.
SKNVibes visited the plant yesterday afternoon to speak with the workers, not about their thoughts on Francis’ passing but rather on what they would most remember her for.
‘Ade’ is what they all affectionately referred to her as, and with tears swelling in the eyes of some and others obviously taking several deep breaths in an attempt to hold back the wells of sorrow, they managed to express some of their fondest memories of the woman they had grown to love.
Jose Rosa - General Manager of Kajola Kristada: “She was a very committed worker and was never absent event when she was ill. We were anxiously looking to have her back at work. She was really passionate about her work.”
Malvie James - Human Resources Manager of Kajola Kristada: “What I will remember about Ade is that she always turned her sorrows into Joy. No matter what happened to her she always turned it into joy.”
Joan: “I will always remember the way she used to call my name.”
Shauna: “Ade has been a mother, a friend and a confidant to me. She loved to cook and entertain, and she would tell me, ‘Shauna, don’t cook, just come by me for Christmas.’ Or she would tell me come by her for the weekend. I miss lying in bed with her and talking about life. I miss her smile and I miss her jokes. She was a very giving person. My children miss her dearly...”
RAS: “She was just good in everything. She was like a mother to me and she could have sent me out to do anything for her. I could have spoken to her about anything, whether work or personal, and she always listened.”
Octavia: “Ade was fun-loving and jovial no matter what she was going through. Sometimes she was ill and she would still make jokes. There was never a dull moment with Ade. She just had a way of putting things over in a way that would make you laugh.”
Beulah: “There are so many things to say about Ade. She was so much fun and I remember the days of me and her going to Puerto Rico. She looked out for my children, especially Lincoln, and they know her as Aunty Ade.”
Omar: “She was a humble and caring persons. She always puts a smile on our faces and she always listened if you had a problem from work or personally. Ade loved working at Kajola Kristada and we loved her too.”
Dion: “I worked with Ade since 1990 when Kajola was PICO. I was there since 1989 and she started in 1990. We shared lots of history and we remained good friends. We broke all of the rules and I would always remember her for her humour.”
Narissa: “She was strict in getting the work done but she was a friend, a mother and had a very kind heart...she was a very kind person.”
Dawn: “I always told her she was in the wrong profession and that she should have been a stand-up comedian. She always had a joke to tell. She would make jokes on you, but it was all in love and she made jokes on herself as well. She was a good friend and if you needed her, she was always there. Ade was a selfless person and very adventurous.”
Carissa: “She was my mother, my friend and she always came to ask me if I was okay and how the family was doing...When she got into the accident, my husband would pick her up and take here where she wanted to go and my children were very close to her. It was hard when I heard the sad news on Saturday night and I didn’t cry then but I had this pain in my belly. When I came to work today (Jan. 20) the tears began to flow.”
Yvonne: “Even though there were differences, she was a very loving person and she always gave us jokes and lots of laughter. I miss her very much and may her soul rest in peace.”
Janan: “She was a very friendly and nice person. She gave lots of jokes...”
Sherlan: “I will always remember the way she greeted us and the way she spoke to us. She loved her job and I will miss her dearly.”
Telpher: “Ade was a fun-loving person; very full of fun. I have known her since in PICO time. I used to like when she would come on the line and ask me for my son. She loved children and had this love for my son. We will all miss her and, on behalf of the Mini Initial Department, we will all miss her.”
Clomel: “She was much fun. When we have safety meetings, she used to give us plenty jokes. I will miss her.”
Eldon: “Ade was fun to people. Sometimes when she wanted bread from the bakery, she would call me to get it for her. I will miss the way she called me very sharply, ‘Eldon, come here!’ I will really miss her, she was kind and a peaceful person to be around.”
Tonica: “Ade was my son’s godmother and she really looked after him even in times when I fell short. He is only three but I will be sure to tell him about his godmother when he gets older. She had a picture of him by her desk and the shoes he is wearing in that picture were given to him by Ade. She was loving and very caring, and I will miss her.
SKNVibes: “Adelaide always had an encouraging word for her workers. This was evident in the interviews she had with this publication concerning the Employee of the Month programme. She will be missed and may her soul Rest in Peace.”
This media house understands that Francis became ill in mid-2013 and, through her related experiences, she continued to receive the support of Kajola Kristada and the management and staff were looking forward to her return to the island and to work.
Her voice no longer rings through the corridors of Kajola Kristada but, as her physical presence has faded, her memory and legacy have not and as appear, will not anytime soon.
Francis has contributed significantly to the manufacturing sector in St. Kitts and, years ago, one of the streets in vicinity to Kajola was named in her honour - the Adelaide Francis Street.
Having worked with PICO since 1990, she transitioned into Kajola in 1999 and on September 15, 2008 she became the Operation Manager; a position she held until her passing.
