A veteran educator whose work centred around the wellbeing of young people and the community has passed away, aged 71.

Cathy Bassett was recognised for her services to young people in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

She was a Rotarian for 20 years and the recipient of multiple Paul Harris Awards from the organisation, a teacher and a principal within Bermuda’s school system.

Ms Bassett was with Girlguiding Bermuda for more than 40 years and volunteered in many roles, including as a Pink Lady, a co-ordinator for Keep Bermuda Beautiful and as chairwoman of the Duck’s Puddle Youth Community initiative.

She was a great supporter of the Annual Exhibition, promoting it as a means of preserving Bermuda’s culture and heritage. She spent 30 years encouraging young people to enter exhibits and served as the co-ordinator of schools for the 2020-22 shows.

The mother of two was cherished by her family.

Her daughter Erica said: “Mom was truly an angel walking on Earth. She was a testament to faith in action, marked by compassion, humility, grace and an unwavering commitment to serving others. Her life was a reflection of love in its purest form.

“My mom believed deeply in the power of learning and encouragement, and she dedicated her life to inspiring others to recognise their worth and potential.

“Her influence touched countless lives, many of whom carry her lessons forward today.”

Ms Bassett joined the Rotary family as a member of the St George’s Club 23 years ago, transferring to the Hamilton Rotary Club in 2014, where she served as president from 2024 to 2025.

Upon her election as president, Ms Bassett said: “If we can all work together as a dream team, it’s amazing what we can do.

“We are going to be positive and optimistic. We are going to encourage each other to create balance and we are going to strive for excellence.”

Beverly Daniels, the education director for Hamilton Rotary Club, said: “She proved to be a motivational force, constantly focused on Rotary’s motto, ‘service above self’.

“It has been noted by everyone who observed her over the years that her time as a Rotarian was the full embodiment of this motto.”

Ms Daniels cited her advocacy for Rotary to give to The Salvation Army almost every Christmas and deliver care packages to sick Rotarians.

More recently, Ms Bassett called on Rotarians to show up at the Seventh-Day Adventist Hall in Hamilton to participate in the drive to donate to Jamaica after it was devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

Ms Bassett was deeply involved in Rotary’s Interact youth programme, which enlists young people to assist those in need, including through charitable donations.

The programme marked ten years in Bermuda in 2025 after being reintroduced by Ms Bassett.

Takawira Mubako, the president of the Hamilton Rotary Club, spoke of “the positive impact she had on the club, the friendships she fostered and the moments of camaraderie and shared purposes that enriched us all”.

Ms Bassett was a long-term Brownie leader, known as Brown Owl, for Girlguiding Bermuda’s First Devonshire Brownies and in 2025 established the First Smith’s Rainbows Unit.

Roslyn Simmons, the commissioner for Girlguiding Bermuda, which includes Brownie and Rainbow units, said: “Cathy dedicated her life to her Brownies and was very happy that she started the Rainbow Unit. She loved them all as if they were her own daughters.

“She was kind, caring, always positive and full of smiles.

“She will be sorely missed.”

Ms Bassett’s teaching career began at Devon Lane, a high school for children with learning challenges, in 1982.

She was a graduate of The Berkeley Institute and studied overseas, including at Howard University for a bachelor of arts magna cum laude in elementary and special education.

She later earned a degree in vocational education, special education and English as a second language.

She then completed an education specialist degree and doctoral courses in special education and education for higher learning.

She was principal at East End Primary School from 1994 to 1998 and principal of Elliot Primary School for the next 12 years.

Ethel Liverpool attended Howard University with Ms Bassett and worked under her as a teacher at East End Primary.

Ms Liverpool, who described Ms Bassett as like a sister, said: “Cathy always used to say ‘God sees everything’ and I used to tell her the same thing. She had such an awesome spirit. She took people under her wing and looked out for everyone.”

Freda Trimm, an ASD teacher at Paget Primary School, also worked under Ms Bassett when she was principal at Elliot Primary School.

Ms Trimm added: “She had a deep understanding of inclusive education and took an eclectic approach, making sure she tapped into the multiple intelligences of every student.”

Ms Bassett was the recipient of the President’s Award plaque from Keep Bermuda Beautiful for organising youth clean-ups in the community.

Ms Bassett was featured in Paget Primary’s Black History Museum in 2024.

Ayesha Vickers-Brown, Ms Bassett’s niece, who teaches at the school, gathered information on her aunt for the exhibition.

Ms Vickers-Brown said: “After the Black History Museum, she continued to thank me for honouring her.

“She spoke about how often people go through life without ever being truly acknowledged or celebrated for their work and how meaningful it was for her to experience that recognition while she was still here.”

Ms Bassett was born to Ina and Bernell Virgil. She had three sisters and two brothers, and grew up in Sandys.

A memorial to honour and celebrate Ms Bassett’s legacy is planned. She leaves behind her husband Eric, daughter, Erica, and son, Malik.

• Cathy Bassett, veteran educator, youth leader and dedicated Rotarian, was born on June 10, 1954. She died in December 2025, aged 71