Moving tributes at funeral service for Valmay Arthur

Justice of the Peace, registered nurse, state-certified midwife and above all, a loving and devoted family member.

These were a few of the ways Valmay Arthur, sister of former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur, was remembered during her funeral service on Saturday at St Peter Parish Church.

Julian Arthur delivered the eulogy, revealing that though the health professional had spent significant time during her early career as a nurse in the UK, her roots and heart always remained heavily in Barbados.

“Although Valmay left Barbados physically, Barbados never left the heart of Valmay and any and everything that was to do with Barbados, she was involved in. Be it in London, Manchester, Huddersfield, you name it, and once there was something to do with Barbados she was involved,” he said.

Upon returning to Barbados, Arthur noted how it was love and dedication to nursing, especially her skills in midwifery, that cemented her name into the history books on the island for her sterling work in child birth.

“In 1989, like a true daughter of the soil, she returned home, now a single woman, and continued her true passion of nursing, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She worked in the baby section, primarily, in the antenatal clinic, she was [also] a HIV/AIDS counsellor and a midwife during these times.

“Deciding to move on from the QEH, Valmay took her love for paediatric care when she joined Dr Thomas in his private practice in Strathclyde St Michael. Based on unconfirmed statistics, she is rumoured to have directly or indirectly been involved in the successful birth of half the population of Barbados, or to put it in perspective, she would have been involved in births coming out of one in every two households,” he joked.

Arthur thanked all of those who shared their condolences with him and his family, but he also assured them that his aunt lived a great life, and one she was immensely proud of.

“Valmay left this earth blessed and feeling fulfilled as she would have used every talent she was given to the best of her ability. No greater bible verse can describe her better than the book of Matthew, Chapter 25 Verse 23, which states – His lord said unto him, well done good and faithful servant. Thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter into the joy of thy lord,” he concluded.

Valmay Arthur was later interred at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens. (SB)