TRIBUTE TO SYLVIA WILSON

by Kingsley C.A. Layne, C.M.G Fri, Oct 8, 2010

Ms. Sylvia Wilson, one of the genuine leaders of the Vincentian community in the United States of America, passed to the great beyond on Friday, October 1, 2010, in the state of Florida.

Before emigrating to the United States in the 1970’s, Sylvia was a vibrant and pioneering personality in the social, cultural, sporting and business life of her native St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Her stewardship, in the area of netball, is legend, and must be credited with establishing the former prominence of SVG in this sport, in regional tournaments and competitions.

She continued her community activism in the USA, in Brooklyn, New York, where she took up residence, until recently relocating to Florida. Sylvia was an original member of VINCI, one of the major Vincentian social and cultural groupings in the tri-state area of New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey, and a founding member of the Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, USA Inc. (COSAGO). She was a principal organizer of VINCI’s annual fund-raising luncheon and dance, which is an important event on the Vincentian community’s social calendar, and where patrons could always be assured of the highest standards of entertainment and service.

A memorial service for the late Sylvia Wilson will be held in New York, on a date to be announced.

I had the opportunity to work closely with the deceased, on several occasions. She was a friend of mine, and, on behalf of my family, and on my own behalf, I extend profound condolences to her family, relatives and friends.