Innis Francis
innis_francis@yahoo.com
During a candlelight vigil held in honor of Dr Sister Phyllis Wharfe who received this year’s Medal of Merit Gold for her work in Education and the Empowerment of Women from President Paula-Mae Weekes on Tuesday evening heard glowing attributes of her as a pillar of strength, which is noble and virtuous.
In a simple setting at the St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando school auditorium well wishers gathered; each tantamount in grief as they remembered Wharfe who passed away on November 18.
Monsignor Christian Pereira of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help, San Fernando reflections projected Wharfe’s greatest battled was to insist that people remain good and righteous in a world where it is no longer “cherished.”
Monsignor Pereira said: “That is one of the issues and maybe the major issue that sister Phyllis fought against as a teacher, principal, religious educator, woman of God. She lived her life to remind us all whether we were young women, co- workers as teachers, or even parents, priest, brothers and friends; but what really matter in life is not the scholarships that will come by the way, but the virtue and the nobility through which we would attain those scholarships. Education without nobility and without virtue makes an education a deceit."
Music teacher Michelle Dorwich assist sister’s during the lighting of candles at the candlelight vigil in memory of Dr Sister Phyllis Wharfe at the St Joseph’s Convent Auditorium, San Fernando.
INNIS FRANCIS
He said Wharfe’s death came to him in a revelation similar to the death of Eleazar from the book of Maccabees in the bible.
“We saw in this woman, the fact, of not any aspect of her anguish and of her suffering of her peril. As a woman for more than 15 years struggle with kidney failure and throughout her struggles she knew that these things will not separate her from God’s love. She died as an ultimate teacher and professor. More than any lesson that she could have delivered in a classroom setting or during recreational times. She had to deal with such a terrible challenge in her life and remain sane, joyful and smiling as much as she could. Sister, like Eleazar in the book of Maccabees she too died leaving her death as an example of nobility and record of virtue,” Monsignor Pereira said.
Sister Wharfe was detained at the Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago ailing for some time and was unable to attend the National Awards ceremony on September 24. However, on September 27 President Weekes visited the institution and presented Wharfe with the medal at her bedside. Wharfe served for over a decade and also taught at various schools in Trinidad and Tobago. She was 74 years old.
She was also fondly remembered by teachers and past pupils for her endearing and fearless spirits.
Some members of the Past Pupils Association at candlelight vigil in memory of Dr Sister Phyllis Wharfe at the St Joseph’s Convent Auditorium, San Fernando.
INNIS FRANCIS
Retired schoolteacher Debra Samlal Hem-Lee in her reflections remembered Wharfe as a dynamic, strong super intelligent and visionary leader with unquestionable integrity, values and morals.
Pass-pupil and teacher during the period 1987 to 1994, Tracey Elcock remembered being terrified of Wharfe but reflective of unyielding dignity and pride for the pathway she created to make their journeys a productive one.
Elcock said: “Sister Phyllis’ philosophy was that she needed to prepare students to be able to function in the future of unmapped territory. And, that we needed to be prepared to make our own way, with energy and determination, without fear or cowardice, or bravado. We are proud when people reference us as a Convent girl. As we got older we all reflected on what and who she was and began to understand her then mis-understood decisions. The lives we now live emulate so much of her teachings, we do, say and behave in ways learnt from knowing her.”
chool teacher Keiba John lights a candle during the the candlelight vigil in memory of Dr Sister Phyllis Wharfe at the St Joseph’s Convent Auditorium, San Fernando.
INNIS FRANCIS
Funeral service will take place at the St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain Chapel on Abercromby Street, on November 26 at 9 am.