A pioneer in West Indian publishing was laid to rest at the Cathedral of St Michael and All Angels this morning.
Friends, family, associates and well-wishers gathered at the Cathedral to celebrate the life of and to pay their last respects to Rita Springer, who ended her journey on earth at age 98.Springer, who was described by grandson Kevin as one who “could make something out of anything” when it came to cooking and arts and crafts, launched her Caribbean Cookbook in 1968; it was the first Caribbean cookbook to be published by a West Indian.
That publication was preceded by Recipes of the Islands in 1962. Then in 2001, Springer compiled a Travelogue of Memoirs to record some of the family history in the 20th century for relatives and close friends.
Her final publication titled A Lifetime of Recipes was done in 2007 at the age of 92. It was dedicated to her twin great-grandchildren Maia and Joshua.
Springer’s son Basil said the magnitude of his mother’s passing will hit him and his sister Helen in the coming weeks and months when there are voids in place of regular activities like food shopping, Sunday afternoon drives and daily afternoon visits.
His words of celebration came in four quarters chronicling her life from birth to the last days just over a week ago.
Rector of Hawthorne Methodist Church Reverend Ezra Barker delivered the sermon. He said Springer was a dedicated Christian soul who loved to serve her savior.Barker took his text from Job, who even though he had lost everything including his 10 children remained faithful and could proclaim, “I know that my redeemer lives”.
The reverend told the congregation that Job spoke with a certainty that they should all take note of. Noting that Springer had a personal relationship with Christ, he said that like Job she could proclaim that her redeemer lives. (YB)