Dear Editor,
I wish to acknowledge the passing of a dear and wonderful person, Mrs Orlene Ranetta Daniels, née Bristol.
She lived a full life here on earth, and left only pleasant memories that would be cherished throughout our time. To all who knew her she would always be remembered as ‘Sister Orlene.’
We had great times as in-laws over the forty years I knew; we were more like brother and sister.
We once lived together out of Guyana and our relationship remained the same as at the time of her unfortunate death. This came one week after she had buried her eldest son’s wife whom she nursed through a prolonged mysterious illness while at the same time caring for her grandchildren. What a blow it was for her when her daughter-in-law passed in her presence at a time she had shown signs of recovery. Perhaps she could not bear this and chose to follow her a week later, to the shock of the community and further afield.
In her lifetime she reached out to people with outmost love and affection as she came into contact with them, regardless of race, colour or creed. Her best friend was Mrs Tetree Rampersaud, who was also her neighbor. She was an ardent believer in Christ and worshiped at Emmanuel Faith AOG (Airy Hall) where she served in almost every department and undertook numerous responsibilities. She was the President of the Women’s Ministry of Section Four, Mahaica to Ithaca; and Secretary to the District Church where we worship and where she was given the full rights.
The huge crowd and packed funeral programme prevented many including myself from giving an open tribute, which would otherwise have taken us into the night. I do hope this letter would speak for all such persons. Orlene would be sadly missed by all, but left behind a trail of footprints in the sand for us to follow. December 10, 2010 would always be remembered.
Yours faithfully,
Bertram A Drakes
