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by pltm
[gallery]Heavy hearts and tear-filled eyes flocked the House of Assembly (HoA) today, November 2, as the flags flew at half-mast in respect and mourning for Hon. Delores Christopher who is lying in state.
The deceased Deputy Speaker of the HoA and Fifth District Representative will be laid to rest tomorrow; however, members of the Government, friends and members of the public today took the opportunity to pay their respects to the fallen patriot and to express condolences to the family.
In the compound, a gallery paying tribute to her work was on display.
Her son, Art Christopher described his mother as “a real community person.”
"She was a very passionate person. You didn’t have to wonder what her views were on a particular subject. She was a real community person and she really loved the people,” he stated.
The grieving son took the opportunity to express appreciation for the support the family has been receiving. “We feel very grateful for the community, for family…for being there for us and coming out and sharing their heartfelt condolences,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and fellow HoA Member Hon. Myron Walwyn praised her work in respect to cultural development and preservation.
However, he urged that people show love and respect to each other while they are alive and have the opportunity to do so.
“We shouldn’t just wait until somebody passes to the great beyond to show how much we respect them, how much we love them and how much we appreciate them. Sometimes, it is very good to let people know what you feel about them when they’re alive. She’s in a casket now and you’re hearing all the lovely things and they’re all true, but many of them could have been said to her while she was alive.”
(PLTM) - “The House of Assembly will never be the same.” These were the sentiments of Speaker of the HoA, Hon. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe.
“It is indeed a difficult day, not just for me but all the Members of the House of Assembly, the family, people of the Fifth District, the territory, the region on a whole,” she said.
Reflecting on Hon. Christopher’s contributions to the House, the Speaker reminded that she was “one of two female elected members of the House of Assembly and that in itself is historical.”
According to Hon. Moses-Scatliffe, “She wasn’t just a sitting member, she was a member who had a voice. She was very forthright, she was a patriot and she fought and stood for what she believed.”
“She has left a significant legacy to follow because she didn’t just speak, she spoke and she spoke with conviction.”
She reminisced on Hon. Christopher’s fight for the protection of the Islands' culture, history, heritage and people, “The House of Assembly will never be the same, she was unique.”
Hon. Christopher, who passed away on October 16 following her battle with cancer was known for her founding role in “Christmas on Main Street,” as well as her work in cultural development.
Hon. Christopher, of Mount Healthy Estate, became a Public Officer in 1988, serving as an Administrative Officer in the Office of the Chief Minister. She later served as a Senior Administrative Officer in the Trade and Investment Promotions Department, attached to the Eastern Caribbean Investment Promotions Service, in Washington, DC.
Then, in 2003, she was elected as the Representative for District Five and served as a Government Backbencher under the National Democratic Party.
In 2011, she was appointed Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly.
