Two personalities pass away

Two prominent individuals who have dedicated portions of their life to social justice have passed away. Mrs. Audrey Courtenay was a founding member of Belize Red Cross, a former nurse and a matron. Courtenay died on Saturday morning at her home and following a service at Saint Mary’s Church, she was laid to rest today.  She was the wife of former Foreign Minister and Attorney General, Harry Courtenay.   She is survived by children – Jeane, Eamon and Ian and predeceased by sons Andrew and David.

Former United States Ambassador to Belize Eugene Scassa also passed away. During his career as a member of the U.S. Foreign Service, he spent close to four years as ambassador to Belize for almost four years in the 1990s.  His family was quickly integrated into Belizean life and made many friends at institutions such as St. John’s College where his son attended school. Scassa pioneered a small business loan program for Belizeans in the 90s, a move that may have gone under the radar in the U.S. but he told a newspaper, (QUOTE) “These endeavors may not sound like much, but in a developing economy they are more important than you would imagine in encouraging others to start or expand their businesses.” (UNQUOTE) He lived in Monaca Pennsylvania and died at age seventy three on the twenty second of March.