Local songstress Pamela Maynard was laid to rest on Saturday in Ontario, Canada and her sister, friends and former producer shared fond memories of her as a generous woman who enjoyed performing.
Maynard died on Sunday November 25 at an Ontario hospital after being hospitalized for two weeks undergoing treatment for breast cancer. When Stabroek News last spoke to her sister Georgia Maynard, she revealed that Pamela had been battling the disease for some time.
In a telephone interview, Georgia said her sister’s daughters are trying to cope with their mother’s death.
Georgia remembers her sister as a loving woman who often helped others. She also enjoyed a good family life. Georgia said during her childhood Pamela always sang at church and would participate in school concerts and competitions.
She further revealed that before her death Pamela had given her life to Christ and was baptised at a Baptist Church in Canada. She had also started to sing gospel music.
A fan of Pamela, George Smith, who resides in Barbados, recalled that they served in the army around the same time, though he couldn’t remember which year, and that he had met her some time after in Barbados when she performed her hit single ‘Lost, lonely and helpless.’ The single was written by her mother Mavis Maynard at a hotel reception.
Smith said from time to time he would continue to meet Pamela in different countries as he travelled the Caribbean. “She was a divine singer and will be truly not forgotten; when I heard the news I was stunned for a while because I never knew that she was battling cancer,” he added.
He stated that her death was a terrible loss to the Caribbean music industry, “she made her country proud with what she loved doing; I could see her now with heaven’s angels singing a few of her hit songs.” Smith also extended sympathy to her relatives. “I would like to send my condolences to the family of Pammie; may warmth surround then at this time of grief,” he said.
Singer and music producer Bonny Alves also shared fond memories of Pamela during a recent conversation. He remembered “Pam” as a loving, kind and generous person who never got into arguments with other artists who shared the stage with her. “She was very easy to work with, even when she was firm with what she wanted, but working with her I understood what she needed,” he said.
Alves said that sharing the stage with the singing icon was “pure love” and when she performed by herself, fans understood her. He also remembers Pamela as a helpful person who was ready to dispense advice and help others through tough situations.
Alves produced two videos for Maynard and had written a number of songs for her. Alves said he expected that one day she would have succumbed to cancer though he had prayed for a miracle for her. When he heard that she had died, Alves said he was very sad and remembered that the last time he had spoken to her was two years ago some time after the Accolade Awards honouring local music artists at the National Cultural Centre.
Alves also encouraged Maynard’s relatives to stay strong during their time of grief.
