ONE OF BARBADOS’ outstanding horticulturists, Jean Robinson, was laid to rest yesterday in a simple ceremony at St George Parish Church.
In a casket adorned with a single red rose arrangement, Robinson’s family, friends and former associates bid the icon farewell.
While no eulogy was delivered, those gathered remembered her with a simple quote:“I tried my very best.”
Rector Reverend John Rogers, in his address, said Robinson was a humble person.
“She was one who was not so caught up with position . . . . It never restricted her interaction with persons in this life. They never led her to leave certain persons out and include others; she saw all persons as from the same cloth,” he said.
He added Robinson, who served two terms as president of the Barbados Horticultural Society, led a very simple life. She had become a national figure given her role in promoting Barbados’ successful involvement in the Chelsea Flower Show in Britain.
“A simple existence, yet one in which she was able to guide many persons, including myself. She always had some verbal advice, or some instruction as to how things should be done, as she sat there in the pew upfront and observed the mass while she was here,” he recalled.
While he said the mother of two often queried why there was never any red in the church at Christmas, Rogers said he had had something special planned for her, but she never got to see it as she passed away four days before Christmas.
“We don’t use the colour red as it represents blood and martyrdom, but I was able to have red candles placed in the windows just for her,” he said, smiling at the memory.
However, the Anglican priest implored those in the congregation to have the same spirit Robinson exemplified whenever she made her arrangements.
“Jean sought to bring joy to the lives of those who saw them . . . . Seek to bring life and joy to each other, just as she created her bouquets and creations and arrangements. At the end of the day, one of the greatest feelings any person could possibly have is to know they could be around someone in the last days. Let us live our lives so that we can have that when our time comes,” he said.
Robinson leaves to mourn sons Bruce and Christopher.
She was interred in the church’s graveyard. (RA)