Dr. Dame Minita Gordon Laid to Rest at the Lord Ridge Cemetery

The principal streets of Belize City were lined with spectators this morning, as a funeral procession rarely seen in the history of the country made its way to the Lord Ridge Cemetery. The cortege and interment of Belize’s first Governor General brought to an end three days of national mourning. It succeeded an ecumenical service of thanksgiving led by Bishop Phillip Wright at Saint John’s Cathedral, where the Belize Defense Force showed a great display of ceremonial splendor. Doctor Dame Minita Gordon was laid to rest today in a state funeral. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

A proper send off for Dame Minita Gordon, Belize’s first governor general and the first woman to hold such a prestigious office within the Commonwealth of Nations.  She was interred at the Lord Ridge Cemetery at midday, during a state funeral that saw all the magnificent ceremonial display afforded to someone of that distinction.

John Briceño, Prime Minister

John Briceño

“She was an educator, she loved children, she was an artist.  She was almost like a renaissance woman, that she did a little of everything and whatever she did, she did well.  We, as a nation, are grateful for the work that she did for us as a country, that she stepped up to the plate at a very important time in 1981 when we were just declared an independent nation.”

Today Belize bade her farewell, as family, friends, government officials and other mourners attended a service of thanksgiving in her honor at St. John’s Cathedral.  The Belize Defense Force was in full splendor, escorting the body draped in the country’s standard, followed by a sword party made up of senior officers marching with their swords in reverse as a sign of reverence.  There was also a rifle party and a canon team which was responsible for the twenty-one canon salute during Dr. Gordon’s interment.  Hers is only the third funeral of its kind, complete with a flyover by the BDF Air Wing.

John Briceño

“She was a brave woman, a strong woman and she stood up for what is right and I think we also have to commend the Father of the Nation to have picked such a stellar woman, such a wonderful woman that can be the first Governor General of Belize.”

In remembering the former GG, mortician Stanley Lizama, a lifelong friend, spoke about experiences with her in his boyhood growing up in Belize City.

Stanley Lizama

Stanley Lizama, Mortician/Friend of Dr. Gordon

“My family and the Governor General were very close friends I used to ker bread and bun for her at her house too, because my grandaunt used to sell bread and bun and we were very close friends.  Sometimes we go to the house and we also had tea party.  When my dad was the mayor in 1984, she was the Governor General and they also invited the Queen of England, so she is very close to my family.”

Lizama, a mortician by profession, had the distinct honor of preparing Dr. Gordon for her state funeral.  It’s an assignment that, for him, was a great privilege.

Stanley Lizama

“The older generation knows her well, but the youths of today they don’t know who is Dr. Dame Minita Gordon.  They don’t know who she is. I feel great about myself because I also know the Father of the Land too, George Cadle Price, so I feel very good to give her last farewell off.”

In eulogizing her sister, Kelorah Franklin touched on her many accomplishments upon being appointed governor general in 1981.

Kelorah Franklin, Eulogist/ Sister of Dr. Gordon

Kelorah Franklin

“Her awards and honors are numerous.  In 1981, she was awarded a certificate of inclusion in the International Who’s Who of Intellectuals from Cambridge, England for outstanding achievements.  In 1982, she received a citation for outstanding and meritorious contributions to the development of Belize.  In 1984, she was awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, GCMG, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and in 1985, the Queen conferred upon her the title of Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, GCVO, on the occasion of her visit to Belize.”

At her final resting place this afternoon, following her burial, the Belize flag was handed over to the Chief Mourner, Kelorah Franklin, by Governor General Sir Colville Young in appreciation of service from a grateful nation.

Isani Cayetano reporting for News Five.