GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ady Marjorie Thomas was a distinguished educator whose concern was to improve teaching standards and materials in the Saint Lucian education sector. She had an extensive and impressive career as an educator that spanned forty-three years until her retirement in 1982. Her teaching career began in 1939 in Soufriere and, in 1953, she was one of the first teachers to be trained professionally at the Erdiston College in Barbados.  She served as teacher, supervising teacher and acting Principal of the Saint Aloysius  R. C. Boys’ Infant School.

At the Saint Lucia Teachers’ College, she first served as Mathematics tutor from 1963 and subsequently principal from 1975 to 1982—the first Saint Lucian woman to hold this post. Lady Thomas was the holder of a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Ottawa in Canada and a Fellow of the College of Preceptors—the first Saint Lucian to obtain this professional diploma. She penned the groundbreaking “History of Education in Saint Lucia between 1824 and 1944” as a requirement for this qualification. She devoted much time to the development of curriculum material in Mathematics and planning workshops and vacation courses for teachers.

Post her retirement, Lady Thomas continued to show interest in the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and was an avid supporter of the College’s activities. Lady Thomas was the wife of former Principal of the College and composer of Saint Lucia’s national anthem, Sir Leton Thomas. The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College celebrates the life of an outstanding educator of good repute who served the education sector with distinction. The College extends condolences to Sir Leton Thomas, family and friends.

–Sir Arthur Lewis community college