Obituary

The University of Guyana (UG) notes with deepest sadness the passing of our dearest former lecturer, author, researcher, benefactor, and recipient of an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, Ameena Gafoor. To paraphrase the words written and read by the University’s Official Master Orator, Al Creighton, at the Conferral Ceremony in 2022, Ameena was “a symbol of endurance and enlightenment; ...

Acclaimed Guyanese singer and composer, Dave Martins died on Sunday, well-placed sources confirmed. The cultural icon was 90 years old. His wife, Annette Arjoon-Martins, could not be reached immediately but a source close to the extended family said he passed away at about 6:30 p.m. She later said on Facebook, “Eternally grateful to have shared fifteen years of unconditional love, ...

Internationally recognised Guyanese and Caribbean jurist, Retired Justice Desiree Bernard died on Thursday morning peacefully in her sleep at her residence in Trinidad, her daughter, Carol Bernard, said. She turned 85 years old on 2nd March, 2023. “She went just as she lived—peacefully,” her daughter told Demerara Waves Online News. The late Ms Bernard began her legal career in 1964 ...

Attorney-at-Law Ashton Chase, the last founder-member of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the precursor organisation of Guyana’s first mass-based political organisation- People’s Progressive Party (PPP)- died early Tuesday morning, party officials said. He was 95 years old. “General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo expresses sincere condolences on behalf of himself and the party, to the family and friends of Ashton Chase O.E. ...

Former Commonwealth Secretary General Sir Shridath Ramphal hailed the significant role that former Foreign Affairs Minister Rashleigh Jackson, who passed away Thursday night, played in mobilising international diplomatic solidarity in dealing with Venezuela’s aggressive claim to Guyana’s mineral and forest-rich Essequibo Region. “Rashleigh’s service to Guyana in another sphere needs also to be recalled as he leaves us. It is ...

Internationally recognised Guyana’s former Foreign Minister, Rashleigh Jackson died Thursday night at his residence. “Guyana has lost one of its most brilliant, honest and capable sons. I think Rashleigh Jackson was probably one of the most strategic thinkers I have met,” People’s National Congress Reform and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton told Demerara Waves Online News. “Guyana has lost one of its ...

Highly respected Roman Catholic nun and historian, Sister Noel Menezes has died, former President David  Granger said on Wednesday.  She was 92 years old. Mr. Granger, who was one of her students, recalls “the rigour of her research, the breadth of her knowledge, the clarity of her instruction and the value of her advice.” Mr Granger noted that Sr Menezes ...

Former University of Guyana Vice Chancellor, Professor Professor Joycelynne Eleanor Loncke died on Saturday at the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital. The PNCR provided no details about the circumstances of her passing, but hailed her contribution to the fields of education and music. Dr. Loncke was the last surviving child of renowned musicians, Percival and Ivy Loncke. She will be remembered ...

Anglican priest George Chuck-a-Sang has been beaten and stabbed to death at his residence on Vlissengen Road, Lodge, Georgetown, police said Tuesday. His daughter, Renata Chuck-a-Sang, reportedly told police that after she failed to reach her 82-year-old father again by phone and WhatsApp, she and current Priest Monsell Alves later went to his residence and discovered his body. “As a ...

Former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, Joyce Sinclair died on Saturday. She was 84 years old. Her brother, Director-General of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, confirmed that she died at her residence. Sinclair was also well-known for the training of employees in the public and private sector when she had branched off into human resources management consultancy. Ms. Sinclair ...