Anguillian educator, Dulcie Richardson, formerly Connor, celebrated her 70th Birthday with a Thanksgiving Service at Bethel Methodist Church and a dinner at the Anguilla Great House on Saturday, November 26.

Mrs Dulcie Richardson and members of the family with Reverend Richardson and Lloyd at the back

Both events were arranged by her five children, the third of whom, Dawn Reid, Education Planner, lives in Anguilla with her family. The others are Paulette, a Projects Manager in New York, Lennard, a Medical Doctor in Maryland, Carlysle, a Diplomat with the St. Kitts Mission in the United States and Marissa, an officer at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in St. Kitts.

Mrs. Richardson, formerly of South Hill, is the widow of the late Constantine Richardson, another Anguillian who was a top educator in Anguilla and later in St. Kitts. Mrs. Richardson, who is greatly admired and respected for her high ideals, dignity and intellectual prowess, taught at the Road Primary School and the former Valley Secondary School in Anguilla. In St. Kitts she served as Principal of the Teachers’ Training College, now the College for Further Education. On retirement from the public service she worked as Personnel Officer at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank where, having retired in that post, she is now serving as Manager of the ECCB Auditorium.

L-R: Mrs. Murielle Owen, Lady Gumbs and Sir Emile

The invited guests, family, friends and others were welcomed at Bethel Methodist Church by the eldest of Mrs. Richardson’s children, Paulette. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this celebration to honour an extraordinary women, my mother, Mrs. Dulcie Richardson,” she said. “We decided to celebrate her 70th Birthday with a Service of Thanksgiving and a Reunion of family and friends. I thank those of you who have come to witness what I promise will be a true reflection of the exceptional life of my mom along with the immense love that we all have for her.

“Mommy, you have always been a source of inspiration to us. You represent poise, charm, determination, beauty, success, love and strength among other remarkable characteristics. You have set the perfect example for your children and for everyone else to expire to; and it is for this reason that we are gathered here today to honour you… a truly amazing woman.”

Later in the service, Paulette placed a ring on her mother’s finger bearing five pearls, one for each of the children. Mrs. Richardson was also the recipient of other gifts from anoter daughter, Marissa and her grandchildren who sang, danced, recited and played short piano instrumentals for her, much to the applause of the congregation.

The Scripture readings were presented by her son, Carlylse, and son-in-law, Stanley Reid.

The service was conducted by Superintendent Minister of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, Reverend Lindsay Richardson, who extended his best wishes to the family.

Invited guests and friends

The sermon was delivered by Reverend Joseph Lloyd. “The very fact that Paulette and Dawn collaborated with their siblings and worked assiduously to ensure that this Thanksgiving Service, the celebration dinner to follow later and other activities take place, attests in no small measure to the high esteem in which they hold their mother and the love that they bear for her,” Reverend Lloyd observed. “Indeed, I am sure that they are saying to her that they owe her a very great debt of gratitude. Her keen and unceasing interest in them and her attention to their needs from birth to adulthood, helped to set them all on the road to success in life.”

Reverend Lloyd went on: “Sister Dulcie, the very fact that your children were determined to mark your 70th Birthday so significantly, and to honour you in other respects, is testimony that they deeply appreciate the sacrifice which you made for their welfare and wellbeing. I am sure that they want you to know in no uncertain terms that your labour has not been in vain.

“One of the readings, which we heard a while ago was from Proverbs 31 and there we were told about the outstanding and eminent qualities of a virtuous woman. In keeping with Proverbs 31, your children have risen up and called you ‘Blessed.’”

The service included some of the church’s best loved family-life and other hymns. The Happy Birthday song climaxed what was a most enjoyable and meaningful Thanksgiving Service for an adorable woman and mother. With all the poise and charm she is known for, Mrs. Richardson took a stately bow and said “Thank You!”

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