Mother, daughter gone too soon in tearful send-off

Upon seeing the two pink caskets at the front of the church, friends and family members could not hold back tears. It was a full house at the Bannister Seventh Day Adventist Church in northern Old Harbour, St Catherine as hundreds came out to pay their respects, most wearing various shades of pink as requested by the family. Depicting happier times, a huge coroplast board cutout of a smiling 44-year-old Simmonds and nine-year-old Shanaye was prominently placed in front of the caskets. 

Family members paid tribute in song with ‘Lean on Me’ before a video montage of the deceased featured highlights of their lives. Musical tributes were also shared by Marlie Mount Primary where Shanaye attended and Tacious Golding High School where two of Princess’ sons attend. Cousin Terrence Swearing sang a rousing rendition of ‘Land Beyond the River’ that had the gathering on their feet. 

In delivering the homily, First Elder Glen Heaven said that he had mixed feelings being at her funeral as a year ago, Princess had attended a crusade and had decided to surrender her life to the Lord, but something made her change her mind and postpone her decision to become a Christian. 

“What is the message that death is sending to me? The message is you are in line and maybe you could be the next to pass so live your life to serve God. The only cure for grief is crying and if you can’t cry, bawl and if you can’t bawl, holler! Tears are the language that God understands.  So Job was correct when he said life is short and the only certainty in life is death,” he said. “However, when we consider the scriptures, when people live to 100, their lives are cut short because Methuselah lived 969 years; Abraham 950 and Adam 930. People are struggling to make it to 50 and the sad thing is they are living as if they control their own life and own the breath they are breathing.  Be thankful that God woke you up this morning, so stop behaving as if you are invincible and humble yourself before God. These two caskets before me are a testament to that.”

In eulogizing their loved ones, Flo Nelson and Donett Swearing stated that Princess and Shanaye brought happiness, warm and spontaneity to the lives of those they touched in memorable and meaningful ways.

“Princess attended Runaway Bay Heart Academy, specializing in food preparation but her greatest role and sacred calling was that of being a mother. She was the bedrock of the family, the steady compass that guided their steps. A praying woman and the person everyone turned to when tension or a crisis rose, as she could diffuse conflict with the softness of a whisper. Her gentle, caring nature created an atmosphere of comfort and calm, making everyone around her feel safe.” 

Fighting hard to hold back tears, they further shared stories about her dependability and wit. “Her love knew no boundaries as it was deep, selfless and unwavering. She nurtured with tenderness, guided with devotion and supported with quiet strength. She loved to cook; her fried fish in particular became a staple. She had a special touch that made everything taste better.  She poured into her children and was fiercely protective of their wellbeing. Education was a priority in her household and while she didn’t always assist directly, she made sure she solicited support from her sister or others to get it done. She was big on quiet acts of service: a warm meal; a pressed uniform, a resilient ‘I am here’. Her love was soft-spoken but powerful. We give thanks to a woman of poise, purpose and powerful ways.”

In paying tribute to Princess’s last child, her aunt and cousin told the gathering that to know Shanaye was to know light and love that was tragically extinguished at such a tender age. “She came into the world a premature baby and spent her first few weeks in the hospital but even then she demonstrated strength and resilience that would come to define her journey,” they said reading alternately. “She was the only girl in the family, the sparkle in her mother’s eyes. She was the gentle reminder of all that is good, beautiful and innocent in this world. She faced many health challenges and on two occasions her birthday parties had to be discontinued because she got sick but despite her delicate health, Shanaye flourished in spirit and heart.

“At the Bannister New Testament Basic School, she embraced life with enthusiasm and was actively involved in dance and sign language. She was a natural leader amongst her peers and was the top performing girl in the class of 2022.  And at Marlie Mount Primary, she continued to shine. Her gentle personality won the heart of her class and she remained humble through all her achievements. She was playful and full of energy and she had a fondness for running and would say that her running was how she stayed slim. She had an incredible memory and if someone needed a phone number, she was the one to ask, even though she didn’t own a phone. To lose a child is to lose the future; a dream still unfolding. To lose a mother and daughter together is a sorrow that defies words. Yet amid of this grief, we find comfort in remembering the joy she brought to the lives she touched. Though her time with us was brief, her legacy was not; strength does not always shout but often whispers.”

The bodies of Princess Simmonds and Shanaye Mirander were interred at the Thetford Park Cemetery.