Official funeral for Dame Maizie Barker-Welch

Renowned women’s rights advocate and former parliamentarian Dame Maizie Barker-Welch is to be accorded an official funeral, the government has announced. The service will take place next Friday.

Dame Maizie, who died on August 28 aged 96, was a trailblazer in politics and women’s rights who led the National Organisation of Women and represented Barbados on several international bodies, including the Inter-American Commission of Women.

The service of thanksgiving for her life will be held at the Abundant Life Assembly in Bank Hall, beginning at 1 p.m., with tributes beginning at 12:15 p.m., The burial will take place at Clifton Hill Moravian Church in St Thomas.

Members of the public wishing to pay their respects will have the opportunity to view the body at the Colin Parkinson Memorial Chapel of Lyndhurst Funeral Home, Passage Road, on Thursday, between 1 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Condolence books will be available for signing at the funeral home and at Abundant Life on the day of the funeral.

Dame Maizie was honoured with several titles during her lifetime, including Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), the Companion of Honour of Barbados (CHB), and Barbados Centennial Honour (BCH). She was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from the University of the West Indies.

Her official funeral marks a final tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to public service and the advancement of women’s rights in Barbados and beyond.

(BT/BGIS)