Our hearts are heavy

Walcott, a globally recognised poet and playwright, died at his home in St Lucia on March 17. He was 87.

There was a private viewing of his body on Friday at the Lazarus Funeral Home by relatives and among those in attendance his nieces, Heather and Carrie Walcott, daughters of his late brother Roderick.

“Well, our hearts are very heavy.

Again you know it’s a loss for us and this time it’s Uncle Derek. And I’m sure he’s impacted the world and all his talents. And we do hope that someone will carry the torch with regards to all his gifts that he’s brought and shared with everyone,” said Heather Walcott.

Asked whether they were thinking of how the government could honour him she replied that they are currently “family based.” “We have a lot of private get-togethers so that we’re the strength for each other and we’re hoping that’s enough and we’ll take it from there based on what we’ll do from this point forward.” Carrie Walcott said they are very proud that Noble Laureate is extended “not just with uncle Derek and dad, the late Roderick Walcott, but the cultural theme throughout the year has been so warmly embraced.

Whether it’s the creole festival (the annual Jounen Kw?y?l) and so forth.” “It’s expanded that much and that is really a testament to this benchmark of culture from the Walcott family and onwards. So I think it’s well received and not only that, it’s so popular. St Lucian identity is so powerful nowadays, not just that the ones who (have passed) were carrying it so much further. Now it’s everyone feeling that culture and embracing our own identity which is wonderful.

That is the greatest legacy you can have for a country and those who started it.” His daughter Anna Walcott said briefly “he was a great father”; he also has a son, Peter, and another daughter, Elizabeth.

On Friday people on the street were also feeling the loss of the iconic poet and playwright. Businessman Chris Jn Marie said they have lost a great icon locally, regionally and internationally and his work speaks for itself.

“Going forward the youngsters coming up have an individual to look up to. We just a spot in the ocean but we are fortunate to have two Nobel laureates (the second is economist Sir Arthur Lewis),” he said.

He pointed out that Walcott has been recognised by the State with a square named after him and the home where he was raised was renovated and made into an art museum.

“So I guess going forward they will open it as a museum and show off his plays, his books, whatever.” He also said that it is time for a statue to be built in his honour.

Dennis, a taxi driver, said that Walcott was out there raising the flag for St Lucia “and I give him lots of credit for that”.

Student Ian McLean, who attends Walcott’s alma mater Saint Mary’s College, said: “ it is a loss for the country.” “A great man has fallen. I don’t think anybody could replace Sir Derek Walcott.” He also agreed that a statue should be erected in his honour.

Walcott was buried Saturday at