THEY?sang for Tassa. They wept for Tassa.
And they all agreed that one of Barbados’ top songbirds had gone too soon.
A who’s who of the entertainment fraternity headlined a standing room-only congregation at James Street Methodist Church, The City, at the 1:30 p.m. farewell service yesterday for the singer and All Stars Calypso Tent performer.
Two-time national calypso monarch Adrian Clarke called Carolyn Tassa Forde, who passed away on February 9 at the age of 41, an angel; and one of this country’s top female singers, Terencia TC Coward, hailed Tassa as a special person.
“You’re an angel and Heaven has just reclaimed an angel,” Clarke said.
“I?will always remember your smile and words of encouragement. I am now alone in carrying the fight out there for female singers, but you have given me the strength to carry on,” said a tearful TC.
Clarke, Sir Ruel, Smokey Burke, Troy Special, Paula Hinds and Colin Spencer sang on her behalf; Red Plastic Bag and Sir Don led the pallbearers out of the church; and the Mighty Gabby, Grynner, Richard Stoute, Kid Site, Serenader, Pompey, Invader, Lord Radio, Mark Lord, Mike Sealy, Trevor Eastmond et al. mourned with relatives and the rest of the congregation.
There too were Cabinet ministers Stephen Lashley and Steve Blackett and dozens of former students from Queen’s College, Tassa’s alma mater. Top of the roll was the class of 1980, the last all-girls’ form, of which Tassa was a part.
Minister of Labour Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo wore her Queen’s College tie, while new National Cultural Foundation chairman Monique Taitt, also a former Queen’s College student, gave praise in the church balcony.
No one cried more than Chad, Tassa’s son and only child, who was described as the love of her life, and no tribute was more emotionally charged than the eulogy of bosom pal and long-time friend Jo-Ann Jordan.
A crestfallen Jordan said Tassa was a phenomenal friend.
“She was a prankster, joker, negotiator, defender, sister, and a shoulder to cry on.”
Jordan said Tassa was always the voice of reason, adding that the two had grown up together, studied together, performed together and laughed together.
“She loved life, loved to dance and sing; but the biggest love of her life was Chad. He was her pride and joy,” she said.
Jordan said that Tassa and her son had an unbelievable bond and were inseparable.
