Selfless Tanya laid to rest

Tanya Greenidge was vibrant, free and unapologetic, but she was also a quiet giver before her life was cut short at age 42, when she was in the prime of her life.

These were just a few of the sentiments expressed by relatives and friends as they paid homage to the optometrist, the daughter of Barbados’ Consul General to Miami, Neval Greenidge and his wife Wendy.

On Friday, exactly four weeks after Tanya was killed at her Green Point St. Philip home, she was laid to rest following a solemn funeral service at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, Prime Minister Mia Mottley and several members of Cabinet attended.

Among them was Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs Marsha Caddle, who was a close friend of Tanya from the moment they met in first form at Harrison College, and who, like many others, fell in love with the “fabulous” and “stylish” Tanya.

During a brief tribute, Caddle recalled countless fond memories of Tanya, including her love for shopping, specifically for ‘nice’ things. What many people often did not know was that the well-known optometrist was often shopping for others, she said.

“My Tammy was above all selfless. There was nothing you could not ask Tamz to do that she wouldn’t find a way to do. She tried to make her family, friends, her clients and even strangers’ lives easier. She would give her all and her last if someone else needed it,” recalled the Government Minister.

“And so today I want to honour Tanya’s giveback spirit. I want to recognize the work she did with the Harrison College Old Scholars Association and other organisations to quietly support students and families who needed financial and in kind support to be their most successful in school and in the world.

“There is no end of memories, both at school and later as our friendship crossed countries, universities, relationships, the birth of Aidan, [Tanya’s six-year-old son], our respective disappointments and successes.

“Tanya was bold and larger than life and loved life and we love her, but it was her quiet acts, her soft words and her gentle squeeze when there was no one else around that said ‘I got you’,” Caddle added.

While delivering the eulogy, Tanya’s ‘little’ brother, Rimmon Greenidge recalled the loving relationship she shared with her family, which included a lifelong bond with her father along with the close relationship with her mother Wendy Greenidge that got much stronger ever since Tanya returned from living in Philadelphia. But the happiest times were shared after the birth of her young son.

“Personally I would not be where I am today without her guidance. Tanya put me on a trajectory that I did not see for myself. I will cherish the moments we danced, laughed and cried. Although our hearts may break, we are not broken. Today will hurt, tomorrow and when we least expect it. Let us rejoice knowing that Tanya lived life without limitations. She surrounded herself with family, friends, love and light,” he added.

Since the August 28 incident, Corey Orlando Gill of Husbands St. James was charged for her murder.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb