The Guyanese Association of Barbados Inc. (GABI) is deeply saddened about the passing of Dame Olga Lopes-Seale.
The association made Dame Olga the first honorary member of the association.
“She attended meetings when she could and supported many of the associations’ fund raising ventures. She was proud of her Guyanese heritage and equally proud of Barbados, her home for over 40 years. The citizens of Guyana and Barbados have benefitted from the generosity of a kind, compassionate and unselfish person,” stated the association in a tribute.
The association reflected Aunty Olga’s career as a radio broadcaster from 1952 in Guyana at the then radio station Radio Demerara.
“It was here that her friendly voice could be heard on programmes such as “Yours Truly Olga” and as coordinator of many children’s talent shows. In 1953 she started the Radio Demerara Needy Children’s Fund. It was extremely successful and her humanitarian efforts were recognized in 1961 when she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her humanitarian work.
“In1963 she moved to Barbados with her Barbadian husband and continued her broadcasting career working at the Barbados Rediffusion Services Limited now known as Starcom Network. She also continued to champion the cause of those in need and started the Auntie Olga’s Needy Children’s Fund”.