Parliament pays glowing tribute to minister’s daughter

Parliamentarians from both sides of the House, in a rare show of solidarity, joined together during yesterday’s sitting to express condolences to colleague and representative for North Windward, Montgomery Daniel on the death of his daughter.

Daniel’s daughter, Daniella, passed away on July 15 after being rushed to Trinidad for medical attention.

“It’s always very difficult when a young person dies,” said Dr Godwin Friday, the opposition leader and parliamentary representative for the Northern Grenadines.

“The honourable member sits across the aisle from me in this House and though we have our differences Mr Speaker…when a loved one dies or somebody who is close to any member of this house, it affects us all because we are only human.”

Arnhim Eustace, parliamentary representative for East Kingstown said that he was extremely shocked to hear about the passing of Daniel’s daughter and sympathized with the family.

“My heart goes out to that family. I just can’t imagine. I haven’t had the experience but I have a daughter and I wonder what it would be like if I were in his shoes,” the former opposition leader expressed.

“Mr Speaker, for a young woman, very much in the early stages of her life, extremely well qualified, the only daughter of the representative, I cannot imagine what he is going through.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louis Straker, in his remarks noted that Daniel, who is also the minister of Housing has had to bear the burden of losing his father, mother-in-law and now his daughter, all in the space of one year.

Straker credited Daniella for being a wonderful person who served in the Anglican Church, in addition to being dedicated to her schooling, first at the Georgetown Secondary School, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdown.

The 28-year-old was also a UK trained chartered accountant and was attached to the firm KPMG at the time of her death.

“It is not easy to lose a daughter for all of us look forward to the time when our children would take care of us in our golden years, our sunset years and when we have to bury them, it’s a lot of pain, a lot of anguish and a great loss to us all,” Straker, the parliamentary representative for Central Leeward said.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves in his tribute said Daniella died of cardiac arrest 20 minutes away from the hospital in Trinidad. She had recently given birth to a baby boy, who is currently in the care of her mother Jacqueline Daniel.

Condolences were also expressed to the representative of North Windward by Senator Luke Browne, representative for South Leeward, Nigel Stevenson and representative for Central Kingstown, St. Clair Leacock.

It was truly a sad day as condolences were also offered up to the Prime Minister and Senator Browne, who lost their mother and aunt respectively in recent times.

“I hope Mr Speaker that we don’t have to do this for a long time again in this honourable house,” said the opposition leader.

The funeral for Daniella Daniel will be held today Friday, July 28 at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Georgetown. Viewing will begin at 12 noon, followed by tributes at 1:00, with the funeral service beginning at 2 pm. Daniella will be buried in the church yard. (BK)