Eulogy: Mary Scotland – By H.E. Sir Rodney Williams, GCMG, KGN, KSt.J, DSc, PhD (h.c), MBBS - Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda
Mary Helena Augusta Scotland , known to me as “Mother Scot”, was born on April 7th, 1938 to parents Roy and Rachel Dublin in the village of Swetes, Antigua. She had one beloved sister – Haytheline (fondly called “Bee”), who preceded her in death. Her father, Roy, was a musician, poet and headmaster, and the author of the acclaimed anthology of poetry “Tomorrow’s Blossoms”. Rachel née Royer, was a teacher. It is little wonder, then, that both daughters passionately selected teaching as their life’s profession.
The family moved to their mother Rachel’s ancestral village of Vieille Case in Dominica when “Mother Scot” was still a young child. Her father died when she was just 10 years old, and Mary and Bee continued to live with their mother and maternal grandparents, enjoying the serenity and simplicity of life in the countryside. Shortly thereafter, the two sisters were sent to the capital city to attend the Roseau Convent in order to further their education. They boarded in homes of strangers, and endured some very difficult times with one particular household.
The strain of being far away from their own home at such a tender age was a lot for the girls to bear. In those days, travel from Roseau to the village of Vieille Case was a long and arduous journey, undertaken only on very few occasions. My wife, Lady Williams, remembers well her mother’s stories of the kindness and compassion of the Catholic priests and nuns in Roseau with whom she interacted. This seemingly made an indelible impression on “Mother Scot”, soothing her childhood suffering -- and perhaps contributing in no small measure, to her unwavering dedication to the church.
She left Dominica in the early 60’s in order to permanently reside in Antigua. While attending the Leeward Islands Teachers’ Training College here, and later teaching at both the Green Bay and the Princess Margaret Schools, she lived at the home of Christopher and Gertrude O’Mard and their family. She has fond memories of the O’Mard’s – Muriel, Paddy and the late Dr. Bert O’Mard - and was always happy to recount that Gertrude (or “Tata”, as she called her) was the chief organizer of her eventual wedding to Jasper (Bobby) Scotland on February 8th, 1962 at the Tyrells Roman Catholic Church … the very church where her parents, Roy and Rachel were married back in 1936.
Mary and Bobby met at a chaperoned dance at the YMCA. After becoming man and wife, they had two children – Robert André and Sandra Louise. The children were born 11 months apart – and when Sandra was just 7 months old, Mary and Bobby migrated to Canada in order to pursue their tertiary education at Ryerson Polytechnic and Carleton University respectively. While Mary pursued studies in Secretarial Science, the children remained in Antigua with her mother and sister until 1966, when the 6 family members reunited in Ottawa. They afterwards moved to Toronto, where Bobby was employed as an accountant at Clarkson Gordon.
The family returned to Antigua in late 1969, and Mary held private lessons at her home for students in accounting, secretarial studies and office procedures. She immediately convinced the Ministry of Education to open a Commercial Department at the Antigua Girls’ High School – the first of its kind on island. In 1972, the department was transferred to the then Island College – now known as the Antigua State College.
Following the opening of the Commercial Department at the State College, and the birth of two daughters (Hélène Michèle and Jo-Anne Allison in 1970 and 1972), Mary and Bobby migrated to Guyana. Bobby was appointed as a Director at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, and Mary taught at both the St. Gabriel’s Primary and Bishops’ High Schools.
In 1974, the family made another geographical move – this time, to North Wales in the United Kingdom. It was here that the last of the five children, Nigel Alexander, was born.
After a period of two years in the UK, they moved back to Guyana, where Mary continued to teach. In 1982, the family settled in Barbados, and this remained their home for the next 17 years.
Mary was a teacher and Vice Principal at the St. Patrick’s Catholic School, and made many close and lasting friendships with members of the faculty. Here, she mentored to girls who could not afford school fees, and who often came from abusive or under-privileged homes. While she taught them the core commercial subjects, preparing them for their future careers, she also ministered as a mother, providing both spiritual and practical direction. In her tribute on Mary’s online memorial page, Sister Barbara McLean – who was the Principal of St.Patrick’s during Mary’s tenure there , said:
”She was a friend, confidant and stalwart supporter. Together we fought to continue the task of forming women for life and service. The hundreds of good women across the Caribbean and those who migrated elsewhere, attest to the formation they received. We have a saint before our God to intercede for us”.
She was a teacher in the classroom. A teacher of private classes at her home. She was a catechetical teacher in church. She was a spiritual director to anyone who wanted a listening ear. She spent so much of her time participating in church activities, and some of these included Catechism, Charismatic Groups, and church choirs. She even tried her hand at learning a little steel pan here at the Holy Family Cathedral!
As “Mother Scot” detested driving, her husband Bobby (who I call “Daddy Scot”) would have to chauffeur her to and from her various church engagements. He used to joke that he spent so much time dropping her to church and waiting outside for her in the car, that this surely would secure him a place in heaven.
When her husband became unable to drive, one or other of her children would shuttle her to church on a regular basis. There would be stern admonishment from her – “You all don’t make me late for church”. If she was not at home, she was at church. Full stop. Both of these places were so dear to her heart.
Her son, Nigel, was at one point a student in her confirmation class in Barbados – and remembers that there was no chance of him getting away with misbehaving under her watchful eye. Her classes were fun, and yet inspiring to young people. Both Jo-Anne and Michele were motivated to also become understudies in the catechetical teaching program. One of her confirmation students later became a priest, and credited her with helping to inspire him. She was a teacher to politicians, to priests, and to some of the greatest influencers and leaders in our Caribbean society.
Mary traveled to St. Lucia with the Our Lady Queen of the Universe Black Rock Choir, Barbados to record their CD of religiously inspired songs, “To God Be the Glory”. Upon her return to Antigua in 1999, she started the Alpha Group at the Holy Family Cathedral. During these meetings, she showed her humorous side. She was the in-house entertainment at the Alpha meetings – and I know this because my wife and I attended one of her courses. Luetta Arrindell eventually became the Director of Alpha, and they remained close friends. Luetta continued to visit and pray with her, in her times of illness.
As a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, she worked tirelessly alongside Paddy Benjamin, Lilian Hynes, Mary Rose Knight and others to raise money for the poor, and to support homes for children and the elderly. Some of the members of this Society also visited and prayed with her when she became sick. Sister Anita, Dora and Barbara Bird, and many others regularly called on her at home to administer holy communion.
“Mother Scot” had 5 children -- but when they were growing up, the house was always filled with the laughter and pleasant banter of other children from the neighbourhood. At one point in Guyana, the family lived opposite the Demerara Cricket Club in Queenstown. As there was not much space in the yard for the children to play, they would often end up running and jumping on the cricket field. Her home was always open and welcoming.
She had one nephew, Lester, whom she cherished. She was an exceptional grandmother to her eight grandchildren, and loved her great grand-daughter Avianna dearly – although she never did get the chance to meet her in person. “Granny”, as they called her, was a focal point in their lives. Her home was the “go-to” place – to eat lunch, to study, or just to be in the beloved company of their grandparents. Her TV was mostly tuned to a catholic television station, and this she especially ensured in order to instill positive values in those who passed through her house.
My own reflection of “Mother Scot” is that she was an extremely bright lady, with sharp analytical skills. She was always completely fair in her assessment of any situation. She unbiasedly presided over possible family disagreements or occasional differences of opinion. Without prejudice. Plain and simple. That was the nature of my mother-in-law.
Mary was molded in the Christian faith by her grandmother, Helena Royer and her mother, Rachel Dublin. But most of all, she adored Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her final words before departing this life were : “Hail Mary, mother of God – Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death”.
For many, her life was an inspiration. Father Frank Power, in his online tribute, said this of her:
“If ever there was a “holy” woman… it was Mary Scotland. Her presence oozed a calm and ease that was deeply spirit-filled… She was a profoundly deep person whose insight into spiritual affairs was a gift from God. She is at peace now…”
There are so many special people who played a meaningful part in “Mother Scot’s” life. There were so many who were exceptionally close to her heart. Her son, Andy, left his home and family in Virginia Beach several months ago to be with his parents. Her other children and spouses have been providing constant love and care throughout her illness… and four of her grandchildren Chrislene, Dominic, Brent and Creed -- fortunate enough to be in Antigua with her -- remained patiently at her side to the very end. She also had three watchful and dedicated caregivers, two of whom are in church today.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 9 Verse 5 laments:
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. And they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten”.
In her unpublished book, “The House of Boz”, Mary’s sister Haytheline declared that “To be forgotten is like a second death”.
Let us never forget the life, the work and the love of Mary Helena Augusta Scotland. May her light ever shine, like a beacon guiding in the night. May the Lord open the gates of heaven widely to receive her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
