Tribute to Agatha Victoria Alexander
A Tribute to the late Sister Agatha Victoria Alexander by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Nurses Association.
Presented by Veithlyn Collins-France (Immediate Past President SVG Nurses Association) on May 17th, 2010 _____________________
Greetings.
I would like to extend condolences to the bereaved family.
I stand here this afternoon representing the Nurses Association to pay tribute to Sister Agatha Victoria Alexander, who was a stalwart nurse and an admirable citizen.
Agatha Victoria Alexander commenced her nursing career on the 20th August 1941. She dedicated more than thirty five years of her life to the profession she loved. She had a wealth of experience which she gained locally, regionally and internationally.
She can be described as an all-rounder. Her contribution to Nursing can only be measured in the lives she affected through her knowledge, dedication and caring.
As a District Nurse she worked in Stubbs, Georgetown, Troumaca, Calliaqua and Bequia during the period 1951 â 1955, travelling to the many communities to conduct home deliveries and contend with duties of the clinic.
In 1955 she migrated to the United Kingdom for advanced studies in Nursing and worked at the Royal Victoria Hospital. She had a passion for Nursing and worked at the Chest Ward and Surgical Fracture Unit for four and a half valuable years. There she was highly recommended. She returned to SVG to continue her service to her country.
She was the Sister in charge of the Tuberculosis (TB) hospital which now houses the Division of Nursing. She was described as a very caring and generous nurse, who was always attentive to her patients and their families. She would encourage family members to visit their relatives who were patients at the hospital.
She retired in 1976 from her substantive position as the Deputy Matron of the Kingstown General Hospital, now the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, a position she held for many years, but ended her career as Acting Matron. In fact she never retired but continued to serve unselfishly. This service was extended to her community.
Her service was recognized by Community groups, and most recently on 8th, July 2005, she was recognized by the New York Nurses based Vincentian Nurses Association for her contribution to Nursing.
Sister Alexander is not remembered by her years as a nurse, but by the difference she made in peopleâs life during those years. Her life was nursing and nursing was her life.
She was there when a calming, quiet presence was all that was needed, She was there in the excitement and miracle of birth or in the mystery and loss of life She was there. When a silent glance could uplift a patient, family member or friend, She was there At those times when the unexplainable needed to be explained, She was there. When the situation demanded a swift foot and sharp mind,
She was there. When a gentle touch, a firm push, or an encouraging word was needed, She was there. To witness humanityâ¦Its beauty, in good times and bad, without judgment, She was there. To embrace the woes of the world, willingly, and offer hope, She was there.And now, that it is time to be at the Greater Oneâs side, She is there
May her soul rest in peace.
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