Ava, God has you in his keeping!

In Loving Memory of a Loved One Ava Grant-Mornix (aka Queenie) – September 6, 1965, to October 8, 2007

by Carlton “Teddy” James

“It is the most dreadful or ironic reality of life, one so hard to accept, that death takes the life of those who live life best”.

Ava has left us in the most unsatisfactory and unfortunate circumstances. We are all hurt and saddened by this tragedy. Her roots run deep around the Richland Park community, two, three, four generations or more.

Ava was born on 6th September, 1965, to Annetha Thomas and Wilfred John. When she was born, her step grandmother called her Queenie, and that name remained with her throughout her life. Ava was only one year old when she went to live with her grandmother Martha John, who no doubt loved and cared for her during her punitive years. Ave would reciprocate by caring for her grandmother during the later years of her life.

Ava attended the Richland Park Government School in the normal environment like all other village children. To her mother and grandmother, she was a Queen. She was always properly attired, hair well groomed, ribbon and pony-comb.

I grew up around Ava, and it seems like yesterday, September 6, 1977, (Ava’s birthday), Carlton James, Arlene John and Ava Grant, like three musketeers, ‘All for one and one for all’, set forth from the village of Richland Park in pursuit of a high school education at the Marriaqua Secondary School – Cane End. {{more}}

Under the glow of the early morning sun or the fading afternoon sun light, we walked to and from school, at times drenched with sweat, wishing that the Good Samaritan would come along and offer us a ride. Like all normal kids, we had our moments of fun and frolic – merrymaking, playfulness and childlike pranks. Ava, the fairest among us, dimples in cheek, part divided hair into two plaits, kept tight in pony-comb and two white ribbons tied in bow. Ava matched nature’s splendour profusely – a charming little girl, full of vigour.

Ava developed her athletic skills as a student to the extent where she found a place on the school’s representative teams in netball and athletics. She was a force to reckon with at the school sports meets in netball, volleyball and athletics. She even tried her hands, creditably, at cricket among the boys.

Ava would have done well at her academic work to the extent that she chose teaching as a career, and quickly gained entry into the St. Vincent Teachers’ College. There she successfully completed the teacher course, thus enhancing her teaching skills.

She taught at the Richland Park Government School for several years before her assignment to the Marriaqua Government School, where she taught up until the time of her death. During her stint at the Richland Park Government School, she was mainly responsible for helping the school to excel at Home Economics. The school won many awards in this field under her stewardship, and many students have benefited abundantly from her culinary skills. The community at large also benefited from Ava’s culinary wizardry, be it at weddings, fairs, picnics or the Richland Park leg of the National Breadfruit Festival. I had my share in August, when Ava iced the cakes for my wedding. She served as secretary to the Richland Park Nine Mornings Committee, and her contribution was pivotal in helping the committee to capture two first places.

At the Marriaqua Government School, the good works and deeds of Ava will resonate in the minds of the children, the teachers and many parents, indefinitely.

Ava was a devoted family member, always consulted on challenging matters by family members. Once her mom took sick in Trinidad and had to be hospitalised and by the afternoon of that day Ava was at her mother’s bedside; such was her commitment to family. On Saturdays, she would go to the Port and Customs Departments to assist her mother with the clearing of her goods from Trinidad, so that her Mom could observe her Sabbath. To her father Wilfred (aka Butcher), she was the first one to be consulted on business and other important matters.

She met Max in 2000 and they started a relationship, which blossomed into marriage in 2004.To him, she was very devoted, and I know he will miss her greatly.

Ava and I remained closely connected until her passing. We spoke Wednesday before her death. I was to assist her with her fund raising event geared towards the ‘GUADALOPE HOME FOR GIRLS’, started by the late Sr. Pat, of blessed memory. That was Ava, always ready to help; she was a good parent, teacher, sister, aunt…. Her time was short on earth, but like a woman with a mission, where time is the essence, she lived and served with great haste.

The passing of love ones like Ava engenders unbearable feelings in our beloved community, I search in vain for someone to fill the void. Today, the sun shines so brightly, and yet it seems to give needless glow. I wait for the twilight to come, so that nature would match my soul. Amidst this unfortunate occurrence, I have been so overwhelmed, and my intention was to remain silent in bereavement, but there seems like an inner compulsion that prompts my tribute to a well deserving daughter, mother, sister, wife, teacher, friend, and servant of this community.

My sincere condolences go out to her father Wilfred, her mother Annetha, her husband Max, her children Kenyon, Kennisha and K’Max, her extended family, and to the entire Richland Park community. My family shares in your tremendous lost.

Ava, God has you in his keeping.

We have you in our heart, and there you will remain until that glorious day when we shall all meet again. Grant unto her eternal rest.

May she rest in peace.