(EDITOR’S NOTE: In sharing this post by Harold Williams as a Guest Commentary with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to Anita’s family.)
GUEST COMMENTARY: BY HAROLD WILLIAMS
FREEPORT, Bahamas, March 28, 2022 — This morning the country is waking up to the sad news of the passing of a legend and an icon. Mrs. Anita Doherty passed away last night after she was found unresponsive at home yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Doherty was an educator, a community activist, a religious teacher and so many more. She was also a sports legend to the sports world. She was inducted into the Grand Bahama Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 for Track and Field. She represented the Bahamas at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh Scotland for track and field and was the women’s 100 and 200 meters champion. She was an all around athlete and competed in netball, hockey and tennis. She held many tennis titles including mixed double and triple crowns.
Mrs. Doherty’s contribution to the country’s development in education and sports will forever be remembered. On behalf of the members of the Grand Bahama Sports Hall of Fame Committee and all the inductees, we wish to extend heartfelt condolences to her family, her church family at the Pro Cathedral at Christ the King and her school family at Bishop Michael Eldon Anglican High School.
May her soul rest in peace.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Commenting on Anita Doherty’s death, Deborah Anderson Pratt noted: “Mrs. Anita Doherty was someone that I revered and had much respect for throughout high school and into adulthood. I was saddened to learn of her death this morning.
As one of her former track stars when she served as Physical Education Teacher at Freeport Anglican High School, she greatly impacted my life. The lessons that she taught on and off the field helped to groom me into the woman that I am today.
She was indeed a true legend. Condolences to her family and friends and the entire Warrior Family of the great FHS/FAHS/BMES. May her soul rest in peace. #WarriorForLife
I am pictured with her at one of the events put on by our school’s Alumni Association for her retirement in 2017, “Denim and Diamonds Comedy Night and Roast”.
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, posted the following on her Facebook Page:
“On behalf of the Ministry for Grand Bahama, I join the community of Grand Bahama in mourning the loss of a legend and a great Bahamian, Mrs. Anita Doherty. Words alone cannot convey how valuable her contributions were to our community and The Bahamas.
She was a fierce warrior in the truest sense of the word! A former athlete, Educator, Vice Principal and Principal of Bishop Michael Eldon School, her dedication to Education and Athletics impacted the lives of the numerous students she taught, coached and mentored during her stellar 38-year career.
As a proud warrior and Freeport Anglican High School Alumna, I have beautiful memories of my former PE teacher and Educator. I was fortunate to witness her passion for young people firsthand.
Mrs. Doherty left an indelible mark on Grand Bahama, and she will be missed.
My sincerest condolences to her family.
May her soul rest in peace.
The Honourable Ginger Moxey, M.P.
Minister for Grand Bahama.”
