Phone ring October 2012

Me: Hello?

Distinguished female voice: Good afternoon, is this you Christopher?

Me: Yes, it is I.

Distiguished female voice: Perfect. We would be needing your assistance with this year’s banquet. You will be able to assist won’t you?

Me: Yes, surely (as if ‘no’ was an option!).

Thus began my apprenticeship under someone who can only be described as the living embodiment of service unto others — Marita Thompson or, as many called her, “Mama Rite”. She had spent the last few years grooming the next generation of PLP event committee members charged with putting on our annual banquet and Founders’ Day programmes, with other party functions thrown in for good measure.

CHIEF HOSTESS

For many years this grand dame ensured that the baton was successfully taken up and passed on to those who would not drop it.

I vividly recall her sitting me down in Alaska Hall one day and passionately explaining the importance of these events and the fact that we are charged with continuing to build on the legacy and traditions started by those who had nothing to give but their all.

Her words to me on that day still ring in my head daily.

“Christopher, even when I am stressed out over an event I think of these great people who started this party and their spirits revive me to carry on. Your job now is to capture these events on camera so that we have a pictorial library for future generations to see our legacy.”

My last order from her this Christmas was to bring her some curry goat and rice from Fish & Tings. Upon receiving it, her face lit up and she cracked a joke with others in the room about how well-trained her people were.

LEGEND

There will be a thousand stories told by anyone who ever had been blessed to be in her presence; the Bailey clan, Somerset Cricket Club, St James’ Church congregation, the Bermuda Post Office staff, the PLP or her friends and family in Antigua.

Yet within those stories one word will be a constant descriptive of Mama Rite: perfectionist.

At her homegoing service, held at New Testament Church of God, Canon Hollis described her as the Sargeant Major of his church. He said he had no doubt that she was now in heaven, giving orders to the angels. Her cousin from Antigua spoke of the reverence that hundreds of Antiguans had for her. So much so, that they addressed her as “The Mayor”. Her niece, Michelle Hill née Donowa, stated with no uncertainty that she was the CEO of the Bailey family and nothing could be done without her approval.

Such was the turnout that there was standing room only in a hall that holds more than 1,000 people. With what appeared to be the entire parish of Somerset in attendance, some diehard St George’s fans thought this would be an ideal time to head up to Somerset and take back our cup while they were all in town. The idea was quickly dismissed, as somehow we knew Mama Rite still had her eye and hands on that cup.

Mama Rite, thank you on behalf of thousands of Bermudians for all that you have done to make our country a better place. Next PLP banquet will have curry goat on the menu!