Louise kept the Guide Law to the very end

Excerpts from the tribute by the SVG Girl Guide Association to Louise Adina Toney nee Dick

by Laura Browne

Briefly, we recount her Guiding history – a Brownie Guider for decades, a District Commissioner for decades and a hard working volunteer while Saint Vincent and the Grenadines began its journey, after Independence, to become a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Louise Adina Toney

She was part of the delegation to the World Conference in Kenya in 1984 when our country became an Associate member of the World Association and continued to work tirelessly as part of the team that saw us to full membership of the World Association in 1987.If I may say, not many countries make that journey in three years which is the minimum time that can be taken to complete the process.

As District Commissioner for Kingstown B, she inspired the leaders under her direct supervision, was always present, always encouraging and always demonstrating her love and commitment to our Association.

I will now come straight to the point in relation to the qualities that she exhibited which cause her to be remembered so fondly within our Organisation.

Louise had love and she loved the lore associated with Brownies, the segment in which she worked lovingly and tirelessly. Love characterized her life and she never lost the Guiding spirit. For her, love was manifest in her lending support at all times
She was obedient to the Promise and Law. For those of us who may not have heard them the Brownie Guide Law is LEND A HAND, the Guide Law is BE PREPARED and the promise goes as follows I PROMISE THAT I WILL DO MY BEST, TO DO MY DUTY TO GOD, TO SERVE THE QUEEN/KING AND MY COUNTRY, TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AND TO KEEP THE GUIDE LAW. She took those seriously and always did her best, did her duty to God (up to the very end), served her country in her continual contribution to education up to the very end I may say. She helped other people, she kept the Guide Law. She was obedient to the promise in its every detail. In her earlier days she was walking FAST to do everything, towards the not walking fast but still getting there, still getting things done. To the very end. Optimism was also one of her watchwords Our sister was understanding, unselfish and unique She listened, gave direction, gave assistance, gave of her substance – to the very end.

We remember her insight, independence and inspiration She was sensible, supportive and sharing In everything she was energetic, easygoing and empathetic ADINA was always doing important things and never quitting till the tasks were accomplished She was thankful and thoughtful, and always expressed it. She was tactful too. We are eternally thankful to her for her contribution . WE sometimes visited with her and took Brownies there to see her. She always welcomed and thanked the groups that came. Our Association honoured her on a few occasions and I remember her coming to the front of this very Church at the next available opportunity and expressing her thanks to the Association for remembering her. Those words of thanks were broadcast throughout the length and breadth of this country by the television programme Direction and via Praise FM in the later days Our sister Louise was the epitome of love, orderliness, understanding, inspiration, selflessness and energy She made her direct mark on two generations of our members but the results of her input will be seen on many of the generations to come.

May she rest in peace.

15th September 2023