Devonshire has once again faced the loss of some of her queens over the past few weeks.

Helene Benjamin (née Davis), from Loyal Hill, was not only a mother to her own children and grandchildren but more so to the entire Loyal Hill community — and, by natural extension, all of Devonshire. As such, her home-going service saw hundreds show up at the First Church of God on North Shore. Her granddaughter and namesake, Shawnae Helene Brangman, performed an extremely moving liturgical dance tribute to the song Amen. The entire congregation were on their feet applauding her.

Earlier in the week, Gwendolyn Warner, from Chaingate Hill, transitioned as well. Originally hailing from Sandy Point, St Kitts, Ms Warner, who retained her strong Kittitian accent, was always welcoming and offered any baked goods or fruits she had available. Often she would be seen out in her yard, with a big straw hat, cutting her grass or tending to her plants. She could always be relied upon to give updates on what was happening in the neighbourhood.

On Monday, Heaven gained yet another angel in the form of Marguerite Viola Lynch (née Stowe), from Green Acres. She was a mother of two and grandmother of four, but most of all she was a friend to all. A lifelong resident of Devonshire, she was an avid bowler and stalwart of Heard Chapel AME Church. She was the wife of the legendary Richard “Comrade Doc” Lynch, a master tradesman, labour activist and Progressive Labour Party candidate for Devonshire who set the foundation for future Devonshire MPs. Without a doubt, he relied on her support to achieve all that he did.

Mrs Lynch was the mother of Chikobe Lynch and my best friend, Seewood “Ras Seefire” Lynch. During her time of need, they both were with her day and night until she transitioned. They exemplified the term “Honour thy Mother and Father”.

These three ladies have helped to shape the various communities of Devonshire by generously giving not only motherly love but tough love to all whom they cared about. Our beloved parish is better off because of them and yet will never be the same without them.

#DevonshireStrong

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com