Marilyne Trotz Celebration of Life Program

Celebrating the Life of

Marilyne Magdalene Cecilia Trotz 1941 - 2021

Marilyne Magdalene Cecilia Trotz September 05 1941 - March 29 2021

Marilyne Trotz was born in Georgetown on September 5, 1941 and died in Georgetown on March 28, 2021. She was the first child of the late Eileen Forte-Leung, and granddaughter of the late Alice and Duncan Rohee.

Mother of Alissa Trotz, Maya Trotz and the late Garth Trotz. Mother-in-law of Erica Trotz, Wayne Motayne and Deborah Cowen. Grandmother of Kai and Asha Trotz-Motayne, and Adio Motayne.

Sister of Brenda Ely, Barbara Hoffman, Renee Forte-Clarke, Phillip Forte, Charles Forte and the late Cecil Forte. Former wife of Ulric (Neville) Trotz. Aunt to 27 nieces and nephews, great aunt to 38 great nieces and nephews, beloved cousin, friend to many; too numerous to name.

After graduating from St. Roses High School (1953-1959), Marilyne graduated from the University College of the West Indies and the University of Montpellier with a BA in French and a Diploma in Translation. She graduated from the University of Toronto with an MA in French. Having completed her comprehensive exams, she left the doctoral programme after finding little support at the time for her research on ‘A thematic and stylistic analysis of the works of Aimé Césaire.’

Returning to Guyana in 1970, she was lecturer, Head of Modern Languages and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Guyana and an active member of the Alliance Française. In 1979 she joined the CARICOM Secretariat in research and conference services, working there for some three decades before her retirement as Special Adviser to the Office of the Secretary General. She was former Chair of the Board of Governors of the St. Rose’s Alumni Association and an active member of the Rotary Club of Georgetown. She was also an avid bridge player.

Thank you to all of the doctors and nurses who cared for Marilyne at Woodlands Hospital, GPHC and Liliendaal, and especially to Dr. Jodi Swaby who looked after her for so many years. To her caregiving team at Windsor Estate, enormous gratitude to our brother Wayne James, Dacia Harris and Clorine Williams in particular, and also Judith Glasgow, Zaida Joaquin, Dr. Dindial Kissoon and Olive Sinclair.

There are so many of you to thank for the friendship and support you have shown mom over the years, and the different ways in which you showed up for us at this time of grief. Know that we feel your care and love.

Thank you to the staff at the Le Repentir Crematorium and the Ursuline Convent Chapel, Monsignor Terrence Montrose, Dr. Wendy Rudder, Marilyn Dewar, Ras Camo Williams, Jocelyn Dow, Beverly Harper, Chelsea Kalsatos, Dejé Dias, Desa Philadelphia, Marie-Anne Cholmondeley, St. Rose's Board of Governors and Videomega Productions for logistics, music and floral arrangements. A special thanks to Russell Lancaster for the solo renditions and for organising the celebration mass – mom knew what she was doing when she left you in charge of her programme.

Livestream from Ursuline Convent, Georgetown, Guyana and with family and friends online Officiant: Monsignor Terrence Montrose Organist: Dr. Wendy Rudder Soloist: Mr. Russell Lancaster Pannist: Ras Camo Williams

MASS Entrance Hymn: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee Opening Prayer: Msgr. Terrence Montrose emembrance: Kai and Asha Trotz-Motayne Hymn: How Great Thou Art First Reading: 1 Corinthians 13: 1-14: Brenda Ely Remembrance: Barbara Hoffman/Reneé ForteClarke Solo Rendition: Ave Maria (Schubert) Russell Lancaster Gospel: John 14: 1-7 Solo Rendition: Panis Angelicus (Russell Lancaster) Tribute: Dr. Carole Maison-Bishop Prayer of the Faithful: Offertory Hymn: The King of Love My Shepherd Communion Hymn: Amazing Grace Remembrance: Maya and Alissa Trotz Solo Rendition: Oh, Beautiful Guyana (Russell Lancaster) Remembrance: Grace Thesiger Poem, Crossing the Bar: Christopher Clarke Tribute on behalf of the St. Roses Alumni Association: Sheila De Gannes Serviam School Song: St. Rose’s High School Choir On Death, Kahlil Gibran: Marie-Anne Cholmondeley and Rupert Roopnaraine Final Commendation Recessional Song: When the Saints Go Marching In, Played by Ras Camo Williams

When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety.

When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile.

We breathe, briefly.

Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity.

Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised walks never taken.

When Great Trees Fall Maya Angelou

Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us.

Our souls, dependent upon their nurture, now shrink, wizened.

Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance, fall away.

We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves.

And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration.

Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.

They existed. They existed.

We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.

How Great Thou Art 1. Oh Lord my God 2. When I, in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made 3. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder 4. Thy power throughout the universe displayed Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art 1. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die 2. I scarce can take it in 3. That on a cross, my burdens gladly bearing 4. He bled and died to take away my sin Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art 1. When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation 2. And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart 3. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration 4. And then proclaim my God, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee 1. Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, 2. God of glory, Lord of love; 3. Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, 4. Op’ning to the sun above.

5. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; 6. Drive the dark of doubt away; 7. Giver of immortal gladness, 8. Fill us with the light of day!

1. All Thy works with joy surround Thee, 2. Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays, 3. Stars and angels sing around Thee, 4. Center of unbroken praise.

5. Field and forest, vale and mountain, 6. Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea, 7. Singing bird and flowing fountain 8. Call us to rejoice in Thee.

1. Thou art giving and forgiving, 2. Ever blessing, ever blest, 3. Wellspring of the joy of living, 4. Ocean depth of happy rest!

5. Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, 6. All who live in love are Thine; 7. Teach us how to love each other, 8. Lift us to the joy divine.

1. Mortals, join the happy chorus, 2. Which the morning stars began; 3. Father love is reigning o’er us, 4. Brother love binds man to man.

5. Ever singing, march we onward, 6. Victors in the midst of strife, 7. Joyful music leads us Sunward 8. In the triumph song of life.

The King of Love My Shepherd 1. The King of love my shepherd is, 2. whose goodness faileth never.

3. I nothing lack if I am his, 4. and he is mine forever.

1. In death's dark vale I fear no ill, 2. with thee, dear Lord, beside me; 3. thy rod and staff my comfort still, 4. thy cross before to guide me.

1. Where streams of living water flow, 2. my ransomed soul he leadeth; 3. and where the verdant pastures grow, 4. with food celestial feedeth.

1. Thou spreadst a table in my sight; 2. thy unction grace bestoweth; 3. and oh, what transport of delight 4. from thy pure chalice floweth!

1. Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed, 2. but yet in love he sought me; 3. and on his shoulder gently laid, 4. and home, rejoicing, brought me.

1. And so through all the length of days, 2. thy goodness faileth never; 3. Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise 4. within thy house forever.

Amazing Grace 1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound 2. That saved a wretch like me!

3. I once was lost, but now am found; 4. Was blind, but now I see.

1. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, 2. And grace my fears relieved; 3. How precious did that grace appear 4. The hour I first believed.

1. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, 2. I have already come; 3. ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, 4. And grace will lead me home.

1. The Lord has promised good to me, 2. His Word my hope secures; 3. He will my Shield and Portion be, 4. As long as life endures.

1. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, 2. Bright shining as the sun, 3. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise 4. Than when we’d first begun.

Please honor our mother’s memory by wearing a mask, getting vaccinated, and ensuring good hygiene and proper ventilation indoors.

To honour mom’s active involvement in her old high school through the St. Roses Alumni Association, we have established a Go-Fund-Me Page to support Arts based programming at the school. Please consider making a contribution, and share the link with all who knew and loved her.

DONATE HERE