(EDITOR’S NOTE: Facebook has been inundated with tributes to former educator Laura Grace Ritchie, who died at the age of 96 on Friday, October, 16, 2020 at her residence on Sugar Apple Street in Sans Souci, Nassau, Bahamas. Many of the tributes were from her former students at St. John’s College High School in Nassau, such as this one by renowned Bahamian entertainer Raphael “Ray” Munnings, leader of “The Beginning of The End musical group, whose internationally acclaimed hit song “Funky Nassau” catapulted the group to world-wide fame in the early 1970s. I decided to publish it as a Guest Commentary for readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE.)
GUEST COMMENTARY: BY RAPHAEL (RAY) MUNNINGS
NASSAU, Bahamas — Mrs. Laura Grace Ritchie came to The Bahamas in 1952 from Trilawney, Jamaica, along with her husband and son. She was immediately employed by St. John’s College.
At St. John’s College she was Form Teacher, Principal of the Junior School and Assistant Principal of the High School.
Mrs. Ritchie taught for three years at the Stapledon School after receiving a degree in that discipline from The University of London. She then accepted a position with the Bahamas Government as a Training Officer in the Public Service. In that position she taught at the Hotel Training College and later as a Lecturer at the College of the Bahamas Continuing Education Division.
Continuing her quest for teaching and training she joined the Lyford Cay Club as Director of Human Resources and Training. This continued for eleven years. She also taught Christian Education in the Anglican diocese.
Mrs. Ritchie gave much of her time to the Girl Guides Association and was a member of the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue, supported The Salvation Army, Teen Challenge, a past member of the Pilot’s Club of Nassau and a member of the Cancer Society. She tutored until she was eighty-eight years old.
Mrs. Ritchie taught my wife, Wendy, my sister, Andrea and I throughout our school years at St. John’s College. She was a very firm and caring educator, often holding after-school classes so students who needed to could catch up. Joined by Athama Bowe, we were privileged recently to spend an evening with Mrs. Ritchie as we reminisced and enjoyed each other’s company taking many memorable photos.
Mrs. Laura Ritchie passed away on Friday, October 16th 2020 at the age of 96. Left to celebrate her Life and Legacy are her son, Vincent Ritchie Jr.; granddaughter Lia-Alexis Ritchie; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Ritchie; and sister, Edna Cammock of New York.
May she RIP
