Browne: A tremendous loss to T&T

Catherine Williams’ death is being described as a “tremendous loss to T&T” by Member of Parliament for Diego Martin Central, Dr Amery Browne. Williams, a co-founder and long-standing member of Community Action Resource (Care) died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital yesterday morning. She was 56. The mother of four,who contracted the HIV virus from her husband at the age of 29, had since dedicated her life to uplifting people living with HIV/AIDS and fighting stigma and discrimination. Browne, a former technical director of the National Aids Co-ordinating Committee, said Williams had left an indelible mark on T&T and has helped “countless” persons lead better and more fulfilling lives. He stated that Williams’ work took her around the world, where she sought to empower those living with and affected by the disease. “Catherine was the hardest working person in the organisation,” he said. “She was a wonderful and courageous woman.“ Someone who has literally assisted thousands of people...She must be remembered for that. "She always carried herself with a sense of dignity and pride and a deep concern for the education and empowerment for those living with HIV.
“Catherine’s life will remain a signal of hope for this country. “She was able to triumph for decades over the most serious medical conditions that anyone could experience and countless persons have benefited from her actions...She was always there to listen to others. “She was someone who had walked in their footsteps and understood what it was like to be living with HIV.” HIV/Aids advocate Lorna Hamilton-Henry echoed similar sentiments. Hamilton-Henry, who has been living with HIV for the past 12 years, told the T&T Guardian that she remained “very distraught” over Williams’ death as she was her mentor and a “silent partner” in her life. “I cried my eyes out when I got the news,” she said