Sisters give back to their alma mater

United States-born sisters Marjorie Marshall and Yvonne Cumberbatch recently made a monetary donation to their alma mater, The St Michael School.

The sisters noted their alma mater was instrumental in they forming many bonds of friendship and they shared wonderful recollections of the time spent within the Martindale’s Road, St Michael institution.

The sisters, now 95 and 90-years-old respectively, were born to Barbadian parents, and fondly remembered the days of singing their school song, studying French and wearing the traditional school uniform which back then was a navy jumper, white shirt and ‘Panama’ hat.

Marshall and Cumberbatch who reside in the United States of America, decided earlier this year that they would make a donation to the St Michael School as they believed it was pivotal to the success that they would have achieved in both of their professional careers.

Marjorie acquired a Masters Degree in reading and was an educator in the New York City public school system for many years. She believed it was imperative for her to teach children and adults the importance of literacy.

Yvonne pursued a Masters in Social Work with the additional clinical certification and was a licensed social
worker where she practised psychotherapy for many years, assisting mentally ill and drug addicted patients.

In their early years the sisters attended The South District Elementary School in St. George.

After the completion of primary school, it was off to The St. Michael Girls School. It was here that the importance of a stellar education was instilled by the all-female teaching staff.

The sisters participated in weekly events centered around Church and family activities. Numerous are the stories of beach picnics, dinner gatherings, playing the piano, playing jacks and riding bicycles, all the while completing their secondary school education.

The foundation created was instrumental in both sisters attending Hunter College located in New York City for their undergraduate education.

The sisters credit their Barbadian education for much of their formative development, discipline, and their thirst for knowledge.

Both sisters were pretty remarkable studying German in college and after their studies always contributed to the betterment of the lives of the underserved.

Today the sisters reside in Brooklyn, New York and have been blessed with longevity by God. Marjorie is married to Barbadian-born Vernon Marshall and they have two children and two grandchildren.

Yvonne has three children from her marriage to Vernon’s cousin, Barbadian-born Wilton Cumberbatch.

She also has two grandchildren.

(Write Right PR Services)