GRACE ABDOOL
TEARS AS MUSIC FESTIVAL FOUNDER LAID TO REST
By Louis B Homer
South Bureau
Express
August 15, 2001
Page 12
Tears flowed as Cheryl Ryan-Baptiste and Michelle Dowrich sang the "Pia Jesus" at the funeral service of Grace Abdool, founder of the Music Festival in Trinidad.
Abdool, best known for her contribution to the development of the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando, died last week and was buried at Paradise Cemetery, San Fernando, after a touching funeral service at the Susamachar Presbyterian church. It was conducted by Rev. Joy Abdool-Mohan.
Dr. Allan McKenzie, who read the eulogy, said Abdool's passing brought an end to the Abdool family of Princes Town.
"She was the last member of the Abdool dynasty," said McKenzie, a former Naparima Boys College principal.
He described her as someone who was always ready to enter into the lives of others to make them happy. "She had the capacity to show the greatest concern for others," McKenzie said.
Abdool was 82.
During the Second World War she was actively involved in getting supplies of food and clothing for soldiers engaged in the war. For this service she was awarded the title of member of the British Empire MBE (1962) by the British government.
In 1974 she was awarded the Medal of Merit - Gold by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for music.
Among those who paid tribute to Abdool were Ambassador to Caricom Kamalludin Mohammed, Junior Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General Gillian Lucky and former Chief Justice Cecil Kelsick.
Mohammed described Abdool as "an amazing lady of grace and charm, a lover of culture and song, a humble human being who touched the lives of so many people in Trinidad and Tobago".
Kelsick said she had devoted her life to the arts and betterment of the youths of the nation.
She contributed greatly to the positive development of all those with whom she interacted, Lucky said. "As a young person who for years participated in the Music Festival, I remember Miss Abdool and her unyielding commitment to the arts and culture."
San Fernando Mayor Gerard Ferreira in a statement said he was saddened by Abdool's death.
He said that all San Fernandians who were fortunate to have known her would feel the void created by her demise. "Over the years, she has selflessly contributed to the cultural development of the city of San Fernando and the Naparima Bowl," Ferreira said.