Tribute to Mrs Lorna Angela DeBique

19.JUNE.09

Mrs Lorna Angela De Bique, Retired Headmistress of the St Vincent Girls’ High School, by the Ministry of Education of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Teaching Fraternity mourns the loss of a stalwart in the field of Education.

Our records indicate that Mrs Lorna De Bique began her teaching career as an Assistant Mistress (Non-graduate) at the Girls’ High School on September 14, 1959, in the areas of History, French and Physical Education. She, however, tendered her resignation in September 1961 but was subsequently re-employed on “a temporary, non-pensionable, month-to-month basis,” also at the Girls’ High School, later in the very year. The then Headmistress, Ms B.M. Heddle, supported her re-employment, stating that “she has worked conscientiously…has been a most helpful colleague and has conducted her classes very efficiently in a quiet and lady-like manner, and the results have been encouraging.”

Approval was given for her “permanent and pensionable” appointment as an Assistant Mistress (Non-graduate), Girls’ High School, with effect from September 19, 1967.

She proceeded to the Cave Hill Campus of the UWI in September 1979 to read for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History and English. She successfully completed the requirements for the award of the stated degree, with Second Class Honours, in July 1982.

She was appointed, on promotion, to a post of Assistant Mistress (Graduate) at the Girls’ High School, with effect from July 1, 1982, and then to post of Deputy Headmistress, of the very school, with effect from January 1, 1984.

Approval was given for her acting appointment as Headmistress of the very school, during the period September 3, 1984, to November 23, 1984.

In her 31st year of service at the Girls’ High School, approval was given for her appointment, on promotion, to the post of Headmistress of the school, with effect from September 1, 1990, following the retirement of Mrs Norma Keizer.

She retired from the Teaching Service on May 15, 1993.

During her tenure at the Girls’ High School, Mrs De Bique endeared herself to staff, students and parents with her gentle, pleasant disposition. She was one of those teachers to whom Teaching was just not a job but a vocation, and she went beyond the call of duty to assist those who were challenged.

Many of her students will remember her as a lady who was serene, courageous, caring and completely dedicated to serve. One may never have recognized the profound nature of her illness or the extent of her suffering, since she was not given to complaining. We are confident, however, that her family will be comforted because she is now in a place where there will be no more pain and suffering.

The Hon Minister and staff in the Ministry of Education extend our sincere condolences to her immediate family.

May her soul rest in peace.