Written by Shirley Thomas
SCHOOL teacher Carlotta Blair, 50, a senior mistress of Grove Primary School, East Bank Demerara, where she also taught Grade Four pupils; a mother of two and of Lot 13 Walker Terrace, West Ruimveldt Georgetown, was participating in a march yesterday to celebrate World Teachers’ Day 2013, being observed today, when she told a colleague that she did not think she could make it to the culmination point at Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, and succumbed moments after that disclosure.

Blair’s death was received with deep shock and incredulity, and has dealt a devastating blow, not only to her family members and fellow teachers at Grove Primary School, but to the entire teaching fraternity on the East Bank of Demerara.

Teachers from several schools were participating in the march, which moved off from outside A. Ali and Sons at Grove, before proceeding past Diamond Food Court (M&M Snackette) and culminated at the New Diamond Secondary School compound.

A colleague teacher recalled that, as the march was proceeding past M & M Snackette, Blair came off the march and sat down at the Food Court. Shortly after, a witness at the Food Court recounted, the woman slumped to the ground, bleeding profusely from the nose. She was rushed to the nearby Diamond Regional Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The dreadful news that a teacher had ‘died’ spread like wildfire in the community.
The march and rally, attended by Region 4 Chairman and the regional education officer, who were scheduled to address the teachers, had promised to be spectacular, but this development threw a damper on everything.

Head Mistress of Grove Primary School, Mrs. Dawne English, said she and her teachers received the message when they were already at the Diamond school ground, but there was, nevertheless,  virtual pandemonium.  Her teachers ran out of the rally and hastened to the Diamond Hospital, but Ms Blair had already died.
An emotional scene ensued at the hospital, as family members and teachers wept and wailed, embracing each other and lamenting. Blair’s son, Nedrie Wharton, and cousins were huddled together, recalling that after mid-morning her niece, Shellon David, received a call from the younger of Blair’s two sons, informing that his mom, Carlotta, had collapsed on a march and was at the Diamond Hospital. Soon after, she got another call, advising her to prepare for the worst. Then the third call came, saying, “She’s gone.”

Nedrie, who works with DIGICEL, recalled that he had left home for work very early yesterday morning, and his mother had been in good spirits even though there was a ‘blackout’. Alluding to the ‘blackout situation’, she had given him brief words of advice as to how to prepare for, and cope with, some of life’s challenges; and he had left home smiling. It wasn’t long after that his smiles were turned into tears.
Relatives confirmed that Blair had a heart condition.
Nedrie said that when he got to the hospital his mother was already dead, and even though he was on the point of caving in, he quickly remembered that, just hours before, his wonderful mom, now lying motionless, was teaching him to cope with some of life’s challenges. That apparently gave him some fortitude to prepare himself for the days ahead.
Headmistress of Grove Primary School, Miss Dawne English and teachers, lamenting Blair’s death, recalled what a wonderful woman she had been. English described her as a very humble and disciplined person, and one who placed a high premium on professionalism and dependability.
“She had what we call that ‘stick-to-it-iveness.” English said.
Throughout the morning, the mood at the Diamond Hospital and everywhere where the teachers established a presence was solemn, tearful, and colleagues had only good things to say about Teacher Carlotta Blair – gone but not to be forgotten.