She was born in Barthurst, the Gambia on May 6th 1937 to the late Lidall and Clarice Tregson-Roberts. Her father was a Pitman's Shorthand/Typist in the colonial office and private sector, her mother was a homemaker and at a time boarding home matron at the Annie Walsh Memorial School. She was the third of three siblings; Egerton and Franklin predeceased her in 2011 and 2019 respectively. She emigrated along with her family to Sierra Leone in 1939. During most of her childhood she grew up at Rawdon Street in Central Freetown.
Her maternal lineage hails from Nigeria, her great grandfather Andrew Shanu was the earliest Christian convert of Yewa, Yorubaland Nigeria, being baptized by Sir. Samuel Adjayi Crowther in Igbehin, Abeokuta in 1840. Until her passing she was the oldest surviving descendant of Hezekiah Andrew Shanu (Africa's earliest Human Right's Activist on record) of colonial Belgian Congo. Her maternal uncle was Edward Blyden III Sierra Leone renowned Political scientist and Diplomat.
Her paternal lineage was the Aku/Nova Scotia Krio settlers of Bathurst, Gambia and Freetown Sierra Leone. Her paternal great grandmother, Amelia Lake was among the Maroon Settlers of Freetown who played a role in the establishment of St. John's Maroon Church (among the first established churches in the crown colony of Freetown.)
She was educated at the Cathedral Girl's School and the Annie Walsh Memorial School where she received her primary and secondary education. At the Annie Walsh she was a star athlete in the 100m dash, (with the likes of Jestina Ashwood) winning trophies for the school in inter secondary school sports.
In 1957 she attended the University of Sierra Leone at Fourah Bay College and graduated with a Teacher's Certificate. She started her teaching career in the Freetown Municipality schools, excelled in her profession, winning a scholarship to further her studies at the University of Dundee, UK in childhood education and administration.
On 26th September 1962, she married her husband, the late Mr. Dudley Labor at the Wesley Methodist church in Freetown, Serra Leone. Their holy matrimony was blessed with three children. Her late husband predeceased her in 1990.
In 1969 she joined the International School Freetown where she taught for nineteen years and became Head Teacher. In 1988 she was appointed inaugural Principal of the newly reformed Herman Gmeiner SOS Kindercare International School, a position she held until her retirement in 2002. A sports club in the name of Labor house was formed in her honor.
After her retirement she relocated to the Gambia and New York, USA where she spent her latter years until her demise.
She is survived by her children Ms. Vera Labor, Dr. Dudley Labor and Mr. Lorenzo Labor, stepson Roy Thomas-Labor. Grandchildren: Clarice, Alex, Dudley, Chinua. Great grandchildren: Ingadi, Geneinde, and Kimani.
Several relatives and many friends at home and in the diaspora including the Labor, Tregson-Roberts, Taylor, Shanu-Taylor, Blyden, Kaye, Shanu's of Lagos, Europa Garber of Banjul, Spring, Angela Williams of London, Yomi Elliot, Christy Akhigbade, and Samuel Taylor families of New York, USA. Members of Christ Church, Gambia; Christ Church Riverdale, NY, USA. Blessing Oladejo of Lagos.
She was a devoted wife and mother, reliable, conscientious and hard working. She lived a Christian Life, trusted in God in all that she did and accomplished. She was humble, loved solitude, appreciated quietness and peace. At her last days she loudly proclaimed how joyful she was and how blest she was having caring children and a family that love her.
We will end by saying gifts or money is important, but motherly love and bond was of paramount importance! If love could have saved her, she would not have died!
Rest On Mummy! Rest in Perfect Peace.
By her children, grand and greatgrandchildren
