Eulogy of Edna Eglantine St. Clair Dougan

by Cheryl Phills King 20.MAR.09

Edna Eglantine St. Clair Dougan née Walker, fondly called “Granny” by her grandchildren, “Dear Aunt” by her many nieces and nephews, and “Nennie Dougan” by her many God-children, was the eighth of eleven children of James Henry and Millicent Valeria (Drayton) Walker. She was born on July 17th 1913, in St Vincent, and received her elementary education at the Belair Anglican School, where her father was the Headmaster having come from Barbados to join the teaching profession in St. Vincent.

James and Millicent Walker having both been born in Barbados established the Walker family in St. Vincent. Edna Dougan was a teacher at the Belair Anglican School and Postmistress at the Calliaqua Post Office. She married George Percival Dougan on September 25, 1940, and this union produced six children, namely, Harold, Raymond, Irma, Hugh, Carol and Errol. Edna was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and Aunt.{{more}}

Edna Dougan was a loving, devoted Christian human being who made God, family, friends, the church and good works the essence of her being. She was a member of St. Paul’s all of her life since her father James H. Walker was a lay reader at St. Paul’s. The Walkers made St. Paul’s the centre of their lives. Consequently, Edna Dougan attended Sunday School, sang in the choir, got confirmed, married and raised all of her children in the fear of God at St. Paul’s church.

She was a Girl Guide and Girl Guide Leader. Many adult former Girl Guides today remember with fondness attending the service at St. Paul’s on the first Sunday of every month in their Girl Guide uniforms under her tutelage. She was a founding member of the St. Paul’s branch of the Mothers Union that was founded in 1952 and a founding member of the Board of the Calliaqua Day Nursery. She devoted many years to community projects exemplifying her faith in God, participating in many tableaux, plays, prayer groups, harvest celebrations and many Guilds of the church. A wonderful example of living one’s life by showing one’s faith.

Edna who was very gregarious made and kept friends easily. Her sense of humour was legendary. She was full of life and zest and was a superb cook. You name it, she cooked it and cooked it better than anyone else. For many of us who emigrated to colder climates coping with the cold weather was a cinch compared to the prospect of facing our first Christmas without Dear Aunt’s black pudding for breakfast. Edna was of the “others before self “ generation and during the reunion of the Villagers in 2005, Edna Dougan, was one of the persons who received an award from the Villagers as a show of appreciation for the contribution that she made in the development of the character of so many persons in the community. She was also honored at the Members Appreciation Sunday at St. Paul’s church in 2006.

“Dear Aunt” was beloved by all of us and we will remember her with deep love and affection. She was the last Walker of her generation. All of her siblings pre-deceased her – Valeria, Clairmonte, Cuthbert, George (Mack), Doreen, Beryl, Drayton, Eloise, Eileen and Clifford. We thank God for her life, the lives of all of the Walkers and for the unconditional love that they so freely gave to us. The positive legacy she has left is reflected in the many heartfelt messages of sympathy received by her family. She is now resting peacefully in the arms of the Lord. Her spirit will live on in us. She was a good and faithful servant of the Lord. We feel truly blessed to have experienced her love in our lives. We will always love and remember Dear Aunt.

Left to mourn are: Children: Harold and wife Karen, Raymond and wife June, Irma, Hugh and wife Susan, Carol and Errol; Stepdaughters: Ruth Fairbairn in England; Naomi Edwards in the U.S. and Yvonne Dias in Canada

Others who for a period of time were in her care: Wayne John; Carmen Phills; Marcia (Phills) Richards; Andre Lewis. Grandchildren: Stewart and wife Keisha; Maria; Simone; Miles and wife Jennifer ; Raeanne; Kurt, Brent and Kimberley Dougan, Isma Williams and Alicia Dewer.

Great Grandchildren: Gino, Bryce and Gabriella Dougan; Sister-in-law: Eileen Williams. Also many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends especially Dr. Bertram Stephens and Dr. Hughes Dougan who gave unstinting medical support to her during the period of her illness.

May she rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon her.