The 93-year-old mother of St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has died after ailing for a short period.
Press Secretary Jadia Jn Pierre-Emmanuel confirmed that Andrazine Anthony passed away at the Tapion Hospital, on the outskirts of the capital on Tuesday.
The ruling St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) said “Andraz”, as she was affectionately known, had “always been a tower of strength for her children.
“No one can grieve as a child can; no one other than a child can know the hurt of losing a mother, but the prime minister can derive some tiny grain of comfort in knowing that his friends and colleagues within the Saint Labour Party share his sorrow and that of his family. He can also take comfort in knowing that his mother is in a better place. That after her long 93-year earthly journey, she is now free from pain and worry,” the party said in a statement.
Former Prime mMinister Stephenson Kin, whose mother died four months ago, said in a condolence message that while it is a difficult time for Prime Minister Anthony “I am confident, if you call on the Lord, He will provide you with strength and guide you through this most painful period.
“Having lost my own beloved mother, only a few months ago, I can truly understand your pain and grief at this time.”
Leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Allen Chastanet said “as much as we would like to avoid loss and the unpleasantness in our lives, sometimes it is inescapable.
“Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers,” he said, while the minority opposition Lucian Peoples Movement (LPM) said “while we do not fully understand death, and may never in this life time, our supportive role as members of the St. Lucian family remains very clear.
“It is therefore in the spirit of national unity that we comfort our prime minister and offer him the reassurance that he will not grieve alone. The LPM is united with you in your personal loss and in this moment of anguish.”
