CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – PREMIER of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry was among scores of sympathisers paying their last respects to former teacher Maureen Adams who was buried on Thursday (Apr. 16) at the Bath Cemetery in Charlestown.
The Premier was accompanied by members of his Cabinet at the service held at the Methodist Church in Charlestown. Opposition Leader Vance Amory also joined Maureen’s husband Theodore ‘Kofi’ Adams, her three children and other relatives in celebrating the life of the popular teacher whose last assignment was at the Charlestown Secondary School.
The eulogy was read by Chief Education Officer Jennifer Hodge who spoke of Maureen being the third of seven children born to Vincent and Eunice Sappleton on May 14, 1958 in London, England. Five of her siblings were present and testified that Maureen was their role model.
Maureen received her early education at Harlesden Primary, Chamberlain Secondary and Aylestone schools respectively. She was academically gifted and very competitive, breezing through schools as an “A student”. Christine, her sister reflected, “She had unbelievable ability. She was an ardent reader – reading everything in sight. She was mischievous too and got away with too much.”
Maureen did so well in her ‘A’ levels that she had the luxury of selecting a university of her choice. She joined the University of East Anglia to study law. In her second year, she was acclaimed a “forever student”. At the height of her law studies, she fell in love with Kofi and they were married on September 9, 1979. After her marriage she did not continue with her law studies but chose to pursue sociology instead and eventually graduated with honours.
Maureen worked in England as a Social Worker but changed her career when she relocated to Nevis with her family on June 11, 1992. She chose the teaching profession and travelled twice a week to St. Kitts from 1992 to 1995 to attend classes in preparation to teach.
“Mrs. Adams proved to be a model teacher and exemplified true professionalism. In all my years as an educator, I have known few in the profession who cared more about her work, about her students, about learning and sharing than she did. I deeply respected her energy, intensity, intellectual curiosity and indomitable spirit,” Hodge said.
According to Hodge, she executed her duties with contagious enthusiasm. She taught Social Studies, Communication Studies, Caribbean Studies, Art and Decorating and was also form teacher and House Mistress of Red House.
“Maureen left a legacy. She served her family and school community as well as the general public with unequalled dedication. She lived in her adopted home, Nevis, with dignity, pride and love. We are richer for our association with this wonderful person and icon in education and are thankful for the legacy and influence she left us,” Hodge proclaimed.
Kofi fondly remembers his beloved wife, noting, “I lost my right hand. My commander! People will not understand but I enjoyed caring for her. It was my greatest joy. I left the room exactly as it was when she left for the hospital the last time; for in my mind, she was coming back.”
Maureen believed in family life and family responsibilities. She took exceptional care of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Bridgewaters. Kofi admits that he shed a tear or two whenever his mother thanked Maureen.
Maureen, as a teacher and parent, also believed in strong family values, and her sons Dele, Kwame and Mensa thanked her for teaching them to be independent and how to go the extra mile.
Maureen Adams died on March 27 after a brief illness.
