Bishop left note on her funeral

When Newsday contacted her home yesterday, close family friend, Francis Lewis said the funeral service was still being finalised.

Lewis confirmed that Bishop’s requests are being taken into consideration, however, could not disclose further information until final details have been arranged.

Lewis said, “The funeral arrangements are being arranged for later this week. Further information will be released once the autopsy has been completed. Pat described in her own words and hand writing that she wanted a very simple service followed by a memorial service. She was a woman of action and music but she was also a woman of peace, which is going to be reflected in her service,” Lewis said.

Plans for the memorial service has been separately planned by a committee chaired by Father Clive Harvey and Dean Knolly Clarke and a range of other interest groups including the steelband movement and will be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on Sunday, at 4 pm.

Meanwhile, the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) yesterday called upon the People’s Partnership Government to find an appropriate and fitting tribute for Bishop, an artist, musician and cultural activist, who died on Saturday.

Speaking at a news conference at the party’s Balisier House headquarters in Port-of-Spain, PNM chairman Franklin Khan said the party “calls on the Government to find an appropriate way to honour the legacy of this great Trinbagonian.”

Expressing condolences to Bishop’s family, Khan said, “The PNM joins the national community in mourning the loss of cultural icon and mentor Pat Bishop.” Noting that Bishop was awarded the Trinity Cross in 1994 (the country’s highest award at that time), Khan said Bishop had a long and distinguished career as a university lecturers, pan arrange par excellence, conductor and musical director and cultural historian.

He added that Bishop “has worked with several different administrations over an expanded period of time.”