‘Polly was close to perfection’

IT WAS a tearful funeral service yesterday for Polly Ramkissoon, mother-in-law of opposition leader Basdeo Panday. In his eulogy, Panday described  Polly as “the nearest thing to being the perfect human being.” Ramkissoon’s daughter, Oma, quietly wiped away  tears as she listened to her husband. Panday spoke highly of 79-year-old Ramkissoon as he addressed mourners, including UNC MPs  at the deceased’s home at Tarouba Road in Marabella. Seated behind her were UNC political leader designate and St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran and his wife, former speaker of the Senate Ganace Ramdial, Panday’s brother and Princes Town MP Subhas Panday, and Caroni MP Hamza Rafeeq.

Ramkissoon died last Friday at Surgi-Med nursing home after ailing for several weeks. Officiating pundit Karmesh Sharma said Ramkissoon fondly referred to as “Ma,” passed away after he prayed with her. Panday told mourners that she was the best mother-in-law and grandmother to his children, whom she helped  raise. “She led a good life and now that innings has come to an end,” the UNC leader said. After the service the body was cremated at the Mosquito Creek at South Oropouche.