Cynthia celebrates her birthday on the Mount

Cynthia Matthew celebrated a special birthday on July 3rd.  On Sunday July 6 son, Kurt, who was visiting from New York and daughter, Nicole, invited her to lunch at Valpark and then to visit the Art Exhibition at the Top Of The Mount, Mt St Benedict.

On arrival at the Top Of The Mount, a most surprised Cynthia was greeted by a roomful of family, friends and former BWIA colleagues, waiting to have tea with her.  Tara and the St Theresa’s Choir accompanied by Maurice Connor welcomed her with “Happy Birthday.” Sister Terese Dookeran blessed the laden tea table.  Tea was an enjoyable and delicious meal which set the mood for the informal programme of tributes to Cynthia interspersed with performances by the choir, flautist Aliston Cooper and pannist Yohan Chuckaree.

Barbara Achat, Zelia Young and Claire Newallo spoke on their relationship with Cynthia during her 35 years at BWIA as an executive secretary; Wendy Doon, Pat Charles and Kurt spoke for the extended family; and Val Mohammed, Joyce Cockburn, Lucita Barrow and Mayotte Nelson spoke for Cynthia’s wide circle of friends.  Absent from the festivities was eldest daughter, Cindy, who lives abroad and could not be here to celebrate with her mother.  However, Kurt and Nicole, on behalf of their sister, spoke of the deep love the three had for their mother, who replied in her own quiet style. Manager of the facility, which is located at the highest point of the Mount, Adrian James, certainly achieved what he had set out to do. He provided simple but good meals in a beautifully decorated dining room from which there is a view that is second to none.