By Earl Bousquet
IT isn’t easy to talk about Shirley in past tense as we lay her to rest in eternal peace.

The lady we said final goodbyes on Tuesday, lived a long and successful life as a mother who loved and gave her all to her Family, her Party and her God.
She cared for her children and fought bravely to defend her right to make her own political choices.
And Auntie Shirley let nothing come between her and her church.

She defended her church and the religion of her choice, even after once being refused Holy Communion.
And she attended church every Sunday.

She stood by her principles, defended her church and her party with equal zeal – and would equally stand firm on principle on political matters that challenged her religious beliefs.
For example, as a Christian, she valued life and opposed even its legal termination. So, as parliamentarian, she remained in silent private opposition and didn’t attend the session that legislated it.

Shirley raised her children to also bravely face their challenges with prayers and confidence, keeping them close to party and church, each doing well in their chosen vocations at home and abroad.

Likewise, they were raised in the bosom of her party, each having had the childhood experience of rushing to Freedom House — after Sunday Mass — for rehearsals for cultural performances for party events, whether in Demerara, Essequibo or Berbice.
Shirley paid every price to preserve, protect and promote her party, from physical assault and battery, to arrest and detention, to punishment by banishment as a teacher into the deep interior, to unfair allegations of racial betrayal.

But she remained a true friend to all in active political life; and after retirement as a fitting Role Model Mother.
In a world where politics is driven by social and economic conditions, culture and religion, Shirley left a legacy of uncommon decency and respect for the rights of others.
The lady we laid to rest was a mother and sister, aunt and cousin, political activist and church pillar — in the best of all respects.
Thus, she’ll surely be missed by us all.

We said goodbye to Shirley from Life’s Departure Lounge, where we all wait, each with our non-expiring one-way ticket and boarding pass in hand.
We’re all simply waiting for that final boarding call, boarding time and gate number, for that ultimate final trip on a slow boat along the river of no return, or that flight to The Great Beyond.
Shirley will get there before us, but join her we will – and if we’ve lived a life half-as-loving and giving, with respect, a clean heart and a clear conscience, it simply won’t matter when.

Meanwhile, as Shirley would tell us from that box if we dare try to listen: ‘Live life well and always do good – and always be part of the continuing struggle for better for Guyana, the Caribbean and the world.’
Long Live Aunty Shirley!