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Bermuda pays its respects

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney, far right, is joined by aide-de-camp Capt. Mark Telemaque, Cabinet Secretary John Drinkwater, Mrs. Denise Gurney and Acting Premier Eugene Cox at the Anglican Cathedral memorial service for the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother lived her life with dignity and lived it to the full, mourners at the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton were told at a memorial service yesterday.

Anglican Bishop of Bermuda the Rt. Rev. Ewan Ratteray told the service, attended by Government dignitaries and members of the public: "It's fairly rare for anyone to live to 101 and to still have their faculties about them. She lived her life with dignity and emotion, she loved life and lived it to the full."

Bishop Ratteray also mentioned how the Queen Mother did not leave London during the Second World War, when it was suggested she go to a safer place. She wanted to share in the pain of her people such was her courage and determination, he said.

Yesterday's memorial service followed the Queen Mother's funeral at Westminster Abbey. She was interred next to her husband King George VI in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.

The Queen Mother passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Royal Lodge on March 30 at 101 years old. She had remained active up until the time of her death.

Yesterday's service at the Cathedral was attended by Acting Governor Tim Gurney, Acting Premier Eugene Cox, Attorney General Dame Lois Browne Evans and about 40 members of the public.

The service was opened by Canon Keith Wassall and the hymn was 'Angel voices ever singing'.

Mr. Cox read Wisdom Chapter 3. 'The Lord is my Shepherd' was then sung by the congregation.

Mr. Gurney read from the First Epistle of Peter, Chapter 1, which says: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten thus again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

After Bishop Ratteray's address, 'Thine be the glory' was sung followed by the National Anthem.

The final blessing was "May she rest in his peace".

The service was short and to the point. There were also prayers and hymns for the Queen Mother and for the Royal Family as well.

In London, more than 2,000 dignitaries, including representatives of the British Armed Forces, foreign Heads of State and government, UK Parliamentarians, and Governor Generals gathered at 11.30 a.m. yesterday to pay their respects.

Flags remained at half mast on Government buildings until sundown yesterday.