The cross section of the community that I see here this morning is fitting testimony to the person whose life we celebrate today. Note that I say it is a day of celebration and not mourning, because Marjorie Alberta Parkinson whose passing we today acknowledge and proclaim would have made such a tremendous contribution to the enrichment of the lives of many during her lifetime that in her passing we celebrate all that she stood for.

Madge, as I prefer to call her, was several lives packaged in one person, and even up to the very end she was in active pursuit of the various causes that were an integral part of her near 74 years of existence. But who is Marjorie Alberta Parkinson?

Madge was born on December 18, 1925 in the village of California, the daughter of Albertina Judge. She attended the Esperanza Presbyterian School where she won a Bursary to Naparima Girls' High School. She entered NAPS in the year 1939 and graduated with a grade 1 Cambridge School Certificate. At NAPS she was described as "Quiet and reserved". Well liked by peers. Behaved like a lady and never got into "girls' pranks" on teachers or other class maters. Exemplary behaviour. Upright. Affable character.

Her classmates included Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of the former President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

In 1945, she began a long, varied and distinguished career in the field of Education. She remained in this profession for all her working life and in the process secured many firsts. She was an Assistant Teacher at California Government School from which she entered Government Teachers' Training College for two years, after which she was appointed Teacher in Charge of the Domestic Science Center at Couva (the first teacher to be so appointed at that institution). We understand that while there, Madge instructed her students thus: "Eat up, eat up what you cook because it is good for you."

However when offered to partake of the meal Madge will always find a very good reason to decline the offer.

From here Madge proceeded on a one-year course of study at the University of Puerto Rico. Shortly after her return in 1955, she was appointed principal of Anstey Girls' Memorial Primary School in San Fernando, the first principal at this school at the youthful age of 29. I am sure that this accomplishment must be something of a national record.

She was subsequently transferred to the St Ursular's Primary School in Port-of-Spain. It was while she was at St Ursular's she was awarded a British Council Scholarship in 1963 for one year at New Castle University in the United Kingdom.

On her return to Trinidad and Tobago Madge was appointed on promotion to the position of School's Supervisor 1, Primary Schools, and served in virtually all educational districts in Trinidad and Tobago. She was subsequently promoted to School's Supervisor II, and while holding this position she pursued her studies at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, where she graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature.

In 1976, Madge was appointed a Schools' Supervisor III, and in the process became the first female to be appointed a School's Supervisor for Secondary school. She continued as a Schools' Supervisor III until her retirement from the service in 1985.

Madge never believed in remaining quiet when in her opinion something was wrong. She was never afraid to express her views and many a time she will have problems as a result. Although firm in decision making and stern in appearance she could enjoy a good joke and could be a good heckler at times. I, for one, have been on the receiving end of many of her taunts. She was a lover of parang music and in the heat of things she can be seen on the dance floor in stiletto heels light on her feet.

She offered her talent and skills selflessly as a volunteer worker in several non-profit organizations. One organization that was beneficiary of the resource that was Madge Parkinson was the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society.

Marjorie Parkinson was among the first link members of the Youth section of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, then called the Junior Red Cross. She served under Mrs. Marion Walls, who started a unit in 1944. As Ms. Parkinson told it, the war was at hand and they were called upon during link meetings to roll bandages and prepare other items necessary for First Aid use by medical personnel to be used in t.

Ms. Parkinson continued in Red Cross throughout her school career and into her adult life. As a School Supervisor III, she was given the portfolio of Youth Director. She took this opportunity to forge greater connections between the education goals and those of Red Cross thus strengthening the commonalities and increasing the number of links in the educational divisions. But she did not restrict this vital skill of first aid training to schools alone. She also forged into communities encouraging units to be formed, and ensued continuity in the Red Cross Society through activities such as Cadet Day activities for the adolescent age group.

After her retirement, Ms. Parkinson was asked to assume the role of Youth Advisor to allow for continuity from her role as Youth Director. In this capacity she continued to support the Youth Section and contributed to training and other activities. Over the last three years she continued to serve on the Executive Council as the Training Officer. She realized other dreams in this role, to which society has and will continue to benefit.

For her unselfish service she received Honorary Life Membership through the receipt of a medal.

Another organization of national and international stature in which Madge was heavily involved, is the National Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago where she served as Deputy Chief Commissioner and Division Coordinator in County Caroni for the Guide Commissioner.

Madge's guiding career began in the 1970s when together with the late Mrs. Valley, they championed the development of guiding in the distinct of Couva and its environs Madge provided a leadership role in several aspects of the movement including the training of guiders, protocol training and coordination of the various districts among primary schools particularly in the County of Caroni.

She received several awards for her contribution towards the development of the Guide movement in Trinidad and Tobago and her only regret was that her dream for a Division Headquarters Building in County Caroni never became a reality.

Madge virtually pioneered the introduction of Special Education in school and from 1974 onward was regarded as the expert within the Ministry of Education of the subject. Together with her colleague Nestor Patrick, they executed the World Health Organization (WHO) and established the Inter-disciplinary Child Development Centre. She worked assiduously with the mentally challenged gaining for them a place in the sun.

It was no surprise to the national community, therefore, when in 1992 Madge was honoured with a national award, the Medal of Merit (Gold) for her contribution in the field of education and community service.

I personally, however, remember Madge as a member of the St Andrew's Anglican Church family in Couva. A devout Anglican, Madge loved her church and functioned at every level within the diocese. Madge was the first female representative at Synod, an honour that she gained in 1965 and has been a member of Synod ever since including this year. In fact only two weeks ago, Madge as a member of Synod was actively involved in the process of the selection of a co-adjucator Bishop who will succeed current Bishop Rawle Douglin, who is scheduled to retire in January 2000. Unfortunately, Madge will not be there to witness the conclusion of this process.

Within recent times Madge's vibrancy was also demonstrated by her role as a member of the Building Committee which undertook the reconstruction of the St Andrews Parish Church building. As Chairman of that committee, I must confess that Madge was not only my right hand, but my left also. It was Madge who prepared all the reports, who exercised vigilance over the project, who would liaise with me sometimes two to three times per day on several aspects of the project; who would be a thorn in the sides of the Contractor and other service providers on the project; who would communicate with the congregation about the progress or lack of progress. Many a time I would caution Madge that she should not be too anxious or eager about the completion of the project, and that it would be completion of the project, and that it would be completed in de course, and her response would be that "they would complete it after I close eyes."

It may very well be a twist of fate that when Madge collapsed last Wednesday it was on the compound of the church building, and the persons who ran to her assistance were the workers on the project. Indeed the vehicle that took Madge to the Couva District hospital was driven by the Contractor himself. And, as he said to me, Madge was attempting to say something to him, but whatever she said was inaudible. I am sure that those of us who were close to Madge would know what instructions she was giving to the contractor, because if it is one dream Madge had lived for in the last two years, it was the dream of the completion of the St Andrew's Church Building.

She would not be there to see it completed, but the spot in which she will be interred, guarantees for her a permanent place to witness for all times, every activity that will take place on the building from here on. I am sure all those who are associated with the building will be hearing her voice urging them on swift completion.

All through her life she exhibited genuine Christian principles and standards which in turn facilitated her involvement in activities geared towards the uplifting and fulfillment of the dreams of the under society especially, the poor, the disadvantaged, the physically and mentally challenged. She has left her mark on many lives and will always be remembered for her philanthropic qualities. She was indeed the quintessential woman.

Our condolences are extended to the family members: Joe, Trevor and Colin Reynolds, Grace Paul, Percy and Lenny Bastien, Beulah Thomas, Pearl Bastien, Dr. Charles Thesiger and Ginette Skeete.

May her soul rest in peace.