?Led by musicologist Pat Bishop, Chief Justice Ivor Archie joined the Lydians Singers as they rendered "How Great Thou Art", yesterday.
United in grief, they had come to say goodbye and give thanks for a Gonzales family–Carmen Hutchinson, Asha Roberts, Javon and LL Shakkeil Roberts – who were killed at home by gunmen on February 22. The funeral service took place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. The sight of four caskets being wheeled into the church, caused a wave of sadness in the congregation. Father Clyde Harvey acknowledged the bereaved family members and urged those who genuinely shared the family's pain to show compassion and solidarity.
But, for those onlookers and gossip-mongers who "were waiting for the next bacchanal in town," he reminded them it was "no bacchanal." He said: "We have to respect the occasion. We feel a sense of pain. We feel a sense of betrayal. We feel a sense of anger. Some of us get vex." Harvey tugged at their humanity. "We're seeing it (senseless killings) so often. We're still struggling." Harvey reminded the congregation that the community had to show solidarity. "All of us have to take it to heart. Begin to ask what can I do. None of us is absolved from the pain of each one of us," said Harvey. He said: "We must change. If we don't change, we feel new grief and anger. Do not shed crocodile tears," said Harvey. He also made reference to Tecia Henry's death. The student of St Rose's Primary RC School, Port-of-Spain, was strangled on June 17 last year.
Harvey said he had implored the mothers to act. "Today John John has gone 200 days without a murder," he said. He expressed optimism that violence would cease in Beetham, Bath Street and Basilon communities. Tributes and eulogies came from Diego Martin North Secondary students Shenelle Francis and Abena Burgess. Form teacher Diane Seelal also paid her respects. Relative Anika Mc Hutchinson also read a tribute. The reality of burying four family members hit home when uncle Cuthbert Roberts remembered "their wonderful lives, with lots of laughter and fun with their grandmother." He remembered how Asha so loved her daughter, Zara, she "shielded her daughter (from a hail of bullets) with her own body."
Asha's friend, Leah Jackman sang Through It All. The Lydian Singers also rendered a pore-raising version of You Raise Me Up. Erma Ahyee read from Daniel, chapter 9 verses 4 to 10. Elma Alexis, Jacynthia Ali and Evelyn Ann Petersen led the general intercessions.
?CARMEN REMEMBERED
?Among those mourning Carmen Mc Hutchinson was her neighbour Cletus Amede. He described "old Carmen" as a "good widow." Summing up sentiments, Amede, 69, said: "When I see the hearse bring those four bodies my belly hurt me. I am a man and I feeling it. They should put them in the square." Recounting the last time he taunted Mc Hutchinson, Amede said: "She liked to wear her hat. So I told her Carmen 'You will have to get a new hat for the new house (they had recently gotten a government house).' I never got a chance to give her the hat."