Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
As the National Petroleum (NP) Marketing Company continues its inquiry into the death of Ria George, relatives, friends, and co-workers yesterday remembered her outpouring of love and kindness.
They packed Boysie Boodoo Funeral Home and Crematorium in Penal to pay their final respects to a woman who “gave wholeheartedly to everyone who crossed her path.”
George, a supervisor at MS Food City Supermarket, suffered burns on August 27 after an LPG cylinder, which was allegedly leaking, triggered an explosion when she attempted to light a stove at her Digity Village, Debe, home. She suffered third-degree burns to 32 per cent of her body and died at the San Fernando General Hospital on September 27.
With her white casket sealed, mourners could only gaze at the photo of her, which was placed on top of it during the service.
With red-rimmed eyes, her husband of 14 years, Rakesh George, sat through most of the service, sometimes crying.
In tribute to his aunt, George’s nephew, Ryan Baliram, said George, fondly called Donny, may not have had children of her own, but she possessed all the motherly qualities and treated all her nieces and nephews as her own.
As he wept, Baliram remembered her as warm and generous, saying she often put the needs of others before her own. He said she was hard-working, dedicated to both her job and her family, never missed a special occasion, and always carried love in her heart.
Nicholas Kanhai, councillor for Barrackpore West, recalled that she was one of the people who moulded and guided him when he started his first job at the supermarket over two decades ago.
“She was invested in customers, and all those who had the opportunity to work with Ria cannot say that she didn’t make you a better employee,” he said.
“Her conversations would make you a better person. She would inspire you in one way or the other.”
Describing George as the sister she never had, Keisha Brandon, George’s sister-in-law, said she not only prospered at the supermarket, but she fell in love with her brother Rakesh, who also worked there.
Noting that her brother would call George his golden star, she said, “Though robbed of this life a bit too early, Donny would’ve completed her race, lived her life, and enjoyed being a wife and partner to my brother as well as all the other roles she played to the rest of us.”
Also paying tribute, George’s employer and co-workers said she was part of their family for 25 years and would be dearly missed.
Officiating pundit Rajesh Tewarie said while everyone who knew George would be hurting over her loss, there was nothing they could do to change what happened. Instead, he encouraged them to turn to prayer.
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has instructed NP to conduct an inquiry into the incident, following reports that the cylinder belonged to the company. Guardian Media understands that NP has since begun a nationwide audit of its cylinders.
When contacted, NP Corporate Communications Officer Michelle Salandy said the investigation was still in progress, and no details could be released at this time.
