GHS Headmistress mourns Office Attendant’s death

HEADMISTRESS OF THE St Vincent Girls’ High School, Latoya DeRoché-John is feeling “lost, helpless, and haunted” by the signs she may have missed that might have saved her friend and the school’s Office Attendant, Joanna Parsons, who died this week.

The news was posted to the school’s social media page on Wednesday morning, August, 4, 2025 where over 400 people sent their condolences to Joanne’s family, the staff and the school.

“Joanne Parsons and I began working at the Girls’ High School within a week of each other back in 2006. We were entering our 20th year at the Girls’ High School this year,” Deroché-John told SEARCHLIGHT yesterday.

Deroché-John added that over the years, she forged a close bond with Parsons, who has become not just a colleague to her, but family as well.

“Her unwavering support, love, and loyalty carried me through some of the most challenging times in my life.”

The Headmistress said Parsons was deeply dedicated to the Girls’ High School and performed her duties with excellence and professionalism.

“Sharp, intelligent, and quick-witted, she was fully immersed in the life of the school. Though her job title was Office Attendant, to us at GHS, she was so much more.”

Deroché-John said that Parsons cared for the school deeply and that she tried her best to love, cherish, and care for Parsons in return.

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