Hilda Louisa Bynoe, former Governor of Grenada and other islands, was an inspiration to the people of the Caribbean.Bynoe, 91, was a doctor, a hospital administrator and the only woman to have been governor of one of the British dependencies.She was the first woman governor of a Commonwealth of Nations country, and spent most of her adult life as a teacher and doctor.She passed away at her home last week Saturday after a short illness.
Msgr Christian Pereira, who delivered the homily at St Finbar's RC Church, Morne Coco Road, Diego Martin, said he hoped Bynoe's death was not in vain because she served to be an inspiration to others in the Caribbean."Her commitment to her pursuits by her positions as a doctor, head of state and mother brought people together."
He said: "She has become the seed among us that sought to blossom. She will find her efforts were not in vain. She will remain a light to enlighten us in our growing and that we are capable of nobility. "We as humans have the capacity to honour God and our brothers and sisters. Let us understand ourselves as the harvest must blossom. We look for the newest and the greatest in false gods and images to excite us momentarily."
Pereira said Bynoe's life was passionate and committed to the Caribbean people."We can rise and follow as she did and not spare an ounce of energy," he said."Don't let her death be in vain and show her that we can be a people who care and work hand in hand to achieve what we as a people are capable of achieving."
Bynoe's son Roland, who read the eulogy, said his mother was against racism and exploitation and she had been proud of her African heritage and wore her hairstyle in an afro until she died."She gave confidence and supported the ideals of NJAC (National Joint Action Committee) and other African ideals," he said.
Roland said his mother showed an interest in human behaviour and was the first doctor to refer patients to see psychiatrists before it became a general practice.He also praised her as a passionate mother and grandmother who loved her family.
President Anthony Carmona, Grenada's Governor General Sir Carlyle Arnold Glean, social activist Hazel Brown, vice-chairman of the People's National Movement (PNM) Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Diane Seukeran, a former PNM government minister, former Foreign Affairs minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, and former Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams also attended.Bynoe was laid to rest at the Mucurapo Cemetery.