Tributes to Hyacinth James as…
A BOOK of Condolence was opened, on Tuesday, in commemoration of New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor, Ms. Hyacinth James, who died   on Monday, after celebrating her 84th birthday the day before. Her passing, though shocking to the citizenry of the township, allowed for moments of reflection on the life which touched   all strata of society.
The octogenarian last appeared in public on Friday, when she attended the distribution of house lots at Glasgow Village,    East Bank Berbice.
On that occasion, when she was told the new housing scheme would put more money into the municipal coffers, she jocularly   replied:”I wish if more house lots can be distributed.”
Speaking on a programme prior to signing the book in the New Amsterdam Town Hall, on Tuesday, Mayor Claude Henry recalled   that James became a councillor in September 1994 and was elected Deputy Mayor in August 2002.
Describing her as plain spoken and not being afraid to confront others about their mistakes, Henry said the mother of three   never bore malice but believed that all problems must be nipped in the bud.
He said James, who would have acted as Mayor in his absence, served the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) with   distinction and her not being present at the recent statutory meeting was felt by other councillors, as her chair remained   empty.
Town Clerk Angelina Collins informed those gathered that afternoon that the deceased was the second woman Deputy Mayor. The   first was Ivy Beatrice Roberts Thom.
Collins said James, who chaired the Market Committee and was on the Central Board of Health, died on the eve of Thom’s   first death anniversary.
Also present was Chairman of  Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. Zulficar Mustapha, who  conveyed the condolences of   President Bharrat Jagdeo, the Government of Guyana and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Touched many
Mustapha said the life of the late Ms. James had touched many others and noted that she never demonstrated political bias   on any issue but represented the cause and concerns of citizens of the municipality.
A friend of hers Ms. Bynoe (only name stated), described the former DOCOL employee as a woman with a common touch, who,   greatly, assisted her community by supplying cooking gas to those in need when there was a shortage in the early 1980’s.
Another friend, Ms. Kate Archer rendered the song ‘New Amsterdam‘, which attested to the hospitality and friendliness of   its residents.
Reverend Tyrone Sulker, of Mission Chapel Congregational Church, said James gave 70 years of unbroken service to it, having   become a member at 14 years of age.
In addition to being involved in several committees of the religious body, James served as the Church Secretary and   Personal Deaconess to Reverend Leander Warren, then as a Life Deaconess.
Sulker told those present: “Every day that goes by brings one closer to death. Let us number our days as we, too, will have   to die and will have to give an account, to God, for what we did with our time.”
Among others in attendance at the 90 minutes function, chaired by Municipal Human Resource Officer Merlyn Henry, were   former Mayor Errol Alphonso, retired trade unionist Norman Semple, Liaison Officer to Office of the President Faizal   Jaffarally, members of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, Town Councillors and staff of the   municipality.
James’ youngest child, Retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Colonel George Gomes had related to the Guyana   Chronicle, on Monday, that he left his mother’s Pope Street, New Amsterdam home shortly after 18:00 h, having spent the   birthday with her on Sunday.
“I left her sitting in a chair. She was in high spirits,” he remembered.
However, the President of the X Guyana Defence Force Association said he received a telephone call at 23:45 h that she was   experiencing a breathing problem and was taken to New Amsterdam Hospital, where she died on arrival.
“My mother has lived a full life,” Gomes remarked, as he stood outside her home. “She liked public service.The town has   lost a stalwart, as she was a vibrant community leader.”
Apart from him, James has left to mourn a daughter, Claudette Daniels and another son, Carlton  Terry Gomes, who had, a day   before her death, returned to the United States (U.S.), several grandchildren, relatives and friends, as well.
She is expected to be buried on Saturday.