(EDITOR’S NOTE: This wonderful tribute to the late Sylvia Richardson, whose funeral service was held on Saturday, August 17, at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church, was written by her “dear friend” Rosemary Clarice Hanna, and I felt compelled to share it as a “commentary” for readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE.)
By ROSEMARY CLARICE HANNA
NASSAU, Bahamas — My heartfelt condolences and love are extended to her beloved daughter Marie and her sons Eduardo and Michael, siblings, and the entire Richardson clan. I share in your loss as Sylvia was my friend of three score and ten tears.
SYL and I met 71 years ago in 1948 when we were students in Mrs. Enid Granger’s grade two class at Western Junior School at the top of the Market Street hill, where Mr. timothy Gibson was headmaster. Syl and I travelled together through Western Junior and for a year at Western Senior School and then on to Government High School. Throughout our school days, she towered above everyone, but she never bent her shoulders or slouched. She was always sure and confident of who she was.
I left GHS and went away to Jamaica for a few years. Then we reconnected when I began work at Navios Corporation, where I also met some of my other former classmates and friends from GHS. From 1948 to August 2019, Syl and I shared an unbroken bond of love and friendship. Her entire life was the epitome of LOVE.
Firstly, she loved her God. Secondly, she adored and revered her parents, Edward “Darling” Richardson and the former Maria Fernander. The Richardsons are a very closely-knit family and Syl’s love for her parents and siblings extended to her aunts and uncles, many cousins and extended family members. Most of them grew up at St. Joseph’s and St. Francis and Syl’s immediate family came to this Church after they moved from Bain Town.
Many of you are not aware that, because of her striking beauty and regal bearing, Syl was offered an opportunity to go to California and become a model. Had she accepted I have no doubt that she would have become an international sensation — all 6’2” of her in flat feet, as she often described herself. But she turned that down because of her love of family.
Furthermore, she hated flying. I can remember how devastated she was when she lost her youngest brother Martin, his daughter and her precious Mama. And growing up she was always so concerned about the wellbeing of all her siblings — especially Clem, who recently celebrated her 82nd birthday. I knew about every accomplishment along the way in their lives: I knew all about Michael, as a little boy, taking mechanical things apart and putting them back together, that they both loved watching golf on TV, and that their command of the English Language was impeccable. Syl was so proud of you both. Marie, you learnt well from your mother about love and devotion, and Syl earned the tender loving care that you and your sons gave to her. She taught by example.
Syl loved her work. She excelled at everything that she did and took immense pride in a job well done. Her shorthand was impeccable, her fingers flew over the typewriter and later computer keyboards like magic. She had a very cheerful disposition, a great sense of humour and always got along well with her superiors, coworkers and subordinates alike. She was genuine! We were all like family at both places where Syl and I worked together. Firstly, at Navios Corporation, which was an excellent training ground for many business successes in The Bahamas; and then initially at World Banking Corporation Limited (WOBACO, which went through several name changes – SFE Bank Limited and later LMT Bank Limited before leaving The Bahamas).
As recently as 2016 and 2017, we had several Navios Corporation reunions, two at the home of Granville Brown and the most recent at The Balmoral Club, where Syl spoke so eloquently about our time together as colleagues. Which reminds me that Granville sends his love and condolences. He could not be here today as he is off the Island.
Syl loved the English Language and she had an exceptional gift for writing. She was a prolific writer of letters to the press and wrote about many topics, including sports. She was an avid fan of both baseball and basketball and was a fixture at many games from basketball at St. Francis Priory days to later at the baseball parks and other basketball venues. She also wrote frequently and unapologetically about politics and the mistreatment of Bahamians in their own country by some expatriates. Syl loved who she was — a proud black Bahamian nationalist who had no qualms whatsoever about speaking her mind on varied topics and in support of others.
But her writing was not limited to letters to the press. She also wrote beautiful poetry, some of which was published. When she put pen to paper it seemed that the words flowed from her pen like water from a faucet. At work she always kept a legal-size yellow writing pad on her desk and whenever she had a few moments, she would be writing her poems. She was never idle, as her creative juices were always running. In recent years she also started an online business assisting people in writing all manner of letters, including job applications, love letters, and, of course, poems for Valentine’s Day and special occasions.
Syl loved life! She was the life of the party wherever she went, and it was a joy to watch her on the dance floor at Cat and Fiddle and the Banana Boat night clubs. Those were the days when we could stay out until the wee hours of the morning and not worry about bullets flying. Syl was most elegant and immaculate when it came to dress. Because of her height most of her clothes were custom made by Ophelia and the elegant evening gowns and jewellery that she wore at the many balls that she attended were created by the late Jeffrey St. John, long before he became a household name in the fashion industry.
One of the things that I loved about Syl was our long telephone conversations that were often filled with much laughter, especially when I teased her about her one setback – cooking! I also appreciated the fact that she never failed to call Clarice and me on our birthdays, and we reciprocated. She was a confidante and I shared challenges with her that entered her ears never left her lips.
I end as I began. Syl it was always a joy to be in your presence. You were the epitome of love in every aspect of your life, you were well loved by your family and friends, you were a true, dependable and unwavering friend to me and I will always cherish our time together on this side. You will be sorely missed. Until we meet again:💕 Rest in peace my dear friend. 💕❤
