Garifuna delegation loses one
The recent visit by Garifuna descendants from North and Central America was a bittersweet one. They were overjoyed at the opportunity to explore their ancestral homeland, but in the end, their happiness was tinged with sadness because a member of their delegation passed away on these shores.{{more}}
At a press conference held on Thursday, July 30, Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU) Director Ellsworth John announced that Sarina Marie Printup, life partner of Garifuna descendant Angel Guity-Fernandez, died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) on Monday, July 27. It is believed that she suffered a massive stroke.
Printup, who is of Native American descent, and Guity-Fernandez decided to stay a few extra days in St. Vincent after the main delegation left. Because of the inclement weather, the groupâs trip to Balliceaux on July 21st had to be cancelled, so the two stayed behind in the hope that they would be able to make the journey after all.
On July 27, after returning to their apartment after a swim on the beach, Printup complained of feeling unwell and was taken by ambulance to the MCMH, where she subsequently passed away. According to Latoya Richards, Secretary within the RIDU, Guity-Fernandez was distraught at his life-partnerâs death. The RIDU assisted him with arrangements to have Printupâs body flown back to the USA.
The couple, who have been together for 6 years, lived in Lewiston, New York. Printup was the mother of four. The funeral was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. (JSV)
Comments
