Violet Eugene Osbourne. Born in St. Michael, Barbados.The first of seven children  born to Felix and Annetta, she was popularly known as Euleen, but she also had another name.  To her childhood friends she was Bob, because she was one of the boys.  She was fearless and could handle herself in a fight.  She was very strong.  That could be because she fought daily with the two brothers that followed her.  I am told that the brothers had a plan of attack.  One would come in from the left, and one from the right.  Yet, they could not take her down.  They took down the odd partition, which sent their mother out to get the carpenter, but never Aunt Euleen.Euleen was a bright child.  Her brain was sharp – so was her mouth.  She was a quick thinker and always had a comeback answer;  if she bothered to answer, that is.  Sometimes, she just kept her mouth shut and smiled.Our grandmother would often say that Euleen was her most troublesome child.  Her siblings were quieter, but Euleen was always pushing boundries.  She gave up Sunday School in her teens and went out dancing.  That didn’t go down well, but my grandmother soon gave up.  Once her daughter decided  on a certain course, nothing or no one could change her mind.Aunt Euleen was mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother; she was sister, aunt and a friend.

She took her position as head of the family very seriously.  She was ever ready to give advice.  She knew the solution for everything.  We would often be told – listen to me.  Do what I tell you.  She was always willing to take the time to talk.

Euleen loved spending time with her family.  She loved sharing stories about her past.  She would go into great detail about her life.  She was honest and open.  She had that unique quality when it came to her children, grand children and great grandchildren.  Yet, their love and respect for her never waned.

She was mother to Norma, Janet and Ricardo.  She was very open with her daughters.  She talked with them with extra-ordinary openness -  yes, warts and all.

She was wife to Lauriston.  As a wife she was consistent, patient and nurturing.  She kept herself busy in her home.  In her marriage, of course, she would give advice.  However, it often fell on deaf ears.

Aunt Euleen was grandmother to Cheve, Junior, Gavin, Rory, Hayley, Christopher, Trey and Riannah.  As a grandmother – well this was the role that brought her the greatest joy.  She loved her grandchildren dearly.  She was proud of their achievements, but more importantly, she was proud of them – period.  She was also fiercely protective of them.  She was absolutely accepting of them.  She never faltered in her support or encouragement for them.

She was great grandmother to Kashan, Azarias, Alicia, Troy, Niama, Kylan,Tianne, Anniah, Kaden and Aston.  She loved them much the same as her grandchildren.  As they now embark on a new chapter in their lives without their grandmother, please remember them in your prayers.

As a sister, she was caring, but not intrusive.  As a friend, she was true and caring also.  She chose her friends wisely.  Euleen was young at heart and found it easy to communicate with young people and children.  Some of her best friends were one, two and even three generations younger.  They loved her company, and they loved her as a person.

On a personal note, she was a valuable teacher.  I have not been able to grieve for my aunt as yet, as it is hard to believe that she is not here anymore.  We talked for hours.  Often times we had to put the phone down hurriedly and call back to finish our conversation because the hour was up.  Mind you, we still talked for ages before we had free calls.

I have said a lot about about how much my aunt talked.  Don’t be of the opinion that she was a blabber.  Discretion was her middle name.  That woman could keep a secret – to the extent that the family complained that she was secretive.  Commenting on the manner of her death, her nephew remarked – she was so secretive, she slipped away without telling anyone.  That summed up her personality to a tee.

Her interests were wide and varied.  She never tired of learning new things.  She loved ancient history and Biblical history as well as current affairs.  She was an excellent baker, and loved to crochet.  Aunt Euleen loved the male voice choirs, Jim Reeves and her Irish ballads, but she also loved a good calypso and soca.  Her absolute favourites were the old hymns.

There is another side to Aunt Euleen – a naughty side.  She loved a good joke – the more risque, the better.  Unfortunately, she often found things funny that other people didn’t.  At such times, she would have a good belly-laugh.

Career wise, Euleen started her working life as a Nurse in Barbados.  She never strayed far from that course, and throughout her working life, she cared for people.

Aunt Euleen attended St. Pauls Church in Barbados.  She loved the High Mass and meeting up with old friends.

Mindful of time constraints, I must come to an end.

Violet Eugene Osbourne.  You are and will always be, greatly missed.  Those who treasured and loved you, treasure and love you still.  To them, you are irreplaceable.  Painful as it is, life goes on, but there is a gap that will never be filled.

Mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, friend.  Our greatest wish, our greatest prayer, is that you are with our loved ones.  We ask that the Creator God takes you into his bosom.  We ask that you have rest from the cares of this life and that you are happy and peaceful as you enter into eternal rest.

Read by Denise Durant, niece.