Issuu

Gea

JEAN PIERRE

BORN: August 18, 1978

DIED: March 23, 2025

SERVICE HELD AT:

Freeport Bible Church

Norma Headley Highway

Freeport, Grand Bahama

The Bahamas

Saturday April 12th, 2025 at 11:00 am

OFFICIATING

Pastor Kyle Maycock

ASSISTED BY Brother Marvin Rolle

INTERMENT

Grand Bahama Memorial Park

Freeport, Grand Bahama

The Bahams

HerSTORY: Remembering Gea…

ACT I

SCENE 1: In the Beginning

It began with one seemingly routine stroke of God’s life giving pen on the bright sunshiny morning of August 18, 1978 in the Magic City of Freeport, Grand Bahama. Bea and Tony peered into the sparkling depths of their newborn daughter’s brown eyes and instantly fell in love. And thus began an epic saga that would transform lives near and far.

SCENE 2: Childhood Shenanigans

This story started out much like many others since time immemorial. The Pierre household was a loving one with hardworking parents who would move mountains to provide the best for their children. When Gea made her debut into the world she joined her 2 older sisters, Lisa and Rhonda. In the ensuing years, Antonia, Synetra and Denika would join the cast followed by the lone son TJ. As one would imagine, this household was fun, loving, rambunctious and sometimes chaotic, while remaining meticulously neat and tidy as per Bea’s strict standards.

Having such a large cast and crew was especially useful when it came time to perform movies such as Grease, Little Shop of Horrors and Annie word for word, complete with songs and choreography. Looking back, it should come as no surprise that Gea became so entranced with the world of Theater with this upbringing. The family also loved sitcoms like Golden Girls, Saved by the Bell and Who’s the Boss and would assign the roles of each character to one of the sisters. In the Pierre household you had to have 3 things: a sharp wit, a weird sense of humor and a thick skin.

SCENE 3: A Twist in the Plot

Gea’s early education at Mary Star of the Sea School and then St. Paul’s Methodist College was pretty much uneventful. It was Gea’s 13th year when life took an unexpected turn - she became ill with what was diagnosed as a thyroid condition and had to endure an extended stay in hospital. It was during this 6 week period that Gea met and befriended an elderly lady who stayed in the same room. Gea would perform small tasks to assist her as well as random acts of kindness. One day this lady summoned Gea to her bedside and thanked her for always being willing to help a stranger. She told her that because she was a blessing to her, she would always be blessed.

Not long after this the lady passed away and through her death a new talent was birthed in Gea that would change the trajectory of her life forever. Gea immediately started passionately putting pen to paper and the words which flowed from that pen had the power to evoke intense emotions. Initially her family thought she was copying these poems from other sources but it soon became obvious that this was no fluke and Gea had indeed received this gift from God.

ACT II

SCENE 1: Your Gift Will Make Way

As Gea’s gift for poetry blossomed, so did other facets of her life. She became more focused on her academics and more intentional in ensuring that her future was one of purpose. The Grand Bahama Public began noticing this young girl with the wisdom, foresight and perception of the world which far exceeded her years. Gea was commissioned by all and sundry during the next 4 years to write and perform poetry for every occasion imaginable. She wrote and performed poems for dignitaries like the late Sir Lynden and Lady Pindling and the first female Governor General. She performed for preachers, policemen and politicians. She performed for schools, churches and unions. She performed at weddings, funerals and retirement parties.

For a brief moment her life was a whirlwind of writing and performing her poetry in her own unique fashion. Her performances captured the interest of the late Frank Penn who hired her straight out of high

school to work at his studio where he mentored her in performance arts. During this time, he threw out a challenge to Gea to parlay her writing skills into scripting a stage play. Gea took up the mantle with enthusiasm and at the tender age of 18 her first play, A Tribute to Mama was born. This was an evocative glimpse into a typical Bahamian family’s life that used humor and drama to advance the plot along to a heart wrenching and tear-jerking climax. Audiences were captivated and the rest, as they say, is history.

SCENE 2: Making a Life and a Living

Over the next few years Gea continued writing poems while working a regular 9 to 5, from Frank Penn’s GBI Recording Studios to Cool 96 Radio Station in the PR Department. Eventually, she landed a job with the Ministry of Health working at the Rand Memorial Hospital. Gea was passionate about the pursuit of higher education in order to become the best version of herself. She secured a partial Scholarship to Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida where she set out with her meager savings and the proceeds of a One Woman Show performing her poems, she achieved her dream of attending college.

Through sheer grit, determination and hard work, she not only successfully earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management, she also received leadership and outstanding student accolades throughout her tenure there. Armed with her degree, Gea returned to Freeport with a renewed purpose to make her mark on the world. She was eventually re-engaged at Public Hospital Authority in a role that aligned with her calling. Never abandoning her purpose, Gea penned the plays, I Object, We Gotta do Better and Kinfolk. She received 2 Etta nominations for the restaging of A Tribute to Mama in 2001

which was the pre-eminent Bahamian Theater Award of its day. She also received 2 Etta Awards for writing Kinfolk for outstanding writing, in addition to 4 others in different categories for the play.

SCENE 3: About her Father’s Business Gea was in tune with her spiritual side from a young age. She grew up in the church and became a Christian early in life. It was at Freeport Bible Church where she blossomed in the youth ministry with Brother Marvin, Pastor Kyle, Pastor Sydney, Covena Murphy, Juliet Benjamin and many others. She utilized her gift in many skits, poems and even a major play entitled “Christmas with the Finleys” which was staged to rave reviews at the church. Gea had utilized her talents to write and produce a New Years Stage Production for Kingdom Worship Center where she was also a follower.

During the past year as she battled, she had developed a bond with Bishop Cardinal MacIntosh who became a Prayer Warrior who interceded on her behalf on a regular basis. Indeed, the relationship Gea nurtured with God would prove to be a vital determinant in how she endured the battle which lay ahead.

ACT III

SCENE 1: Sitting on a Precipice Gea began experiencing intermittent health challenges around 2012 that resulted in several short stints in hospital. When

these bouts of illness became more frequent, this led Gea to seek medical attention in the U.S. where she was diagnosed in 2014 with Lupus which came with a rare underlying illness, Pulmonary Hypertension, a condition that attacked her lungs. This diagnosis shifted Gea’s world on its axis as the normal life span after diagnosis is 3 to 5 years. Gea became bedridden and dependent on oxygen for 7 months at the age of 34. A blow of this magnitude would have caused lesser men to fold up and accept their fate.

For Gea, this triggered her fight impulse and a single-minded resolve was born in her to live and live well. In her words “Unable to speak much, I spent a lot of time in my head just thinking about things, and if I was to get up from here, I would walk in my gift and do what I wanted to do. I promised myself I would begin to leave my imprint on this world”. Gea began receiving medical treatment from the late Dr. Ohuey who mapped out a treatment regimen for her that eventually amazed her US doctors when she went for one of her follow ups. Eventually she DID get up out of that bed through expert medical care from Dr Ohuey (and Dr. Stubbs in later years) and a sheer determination to live and to fight for her legacy. “Even though I was not expected to make a full recovery, I not only survived, I thrived. I had no fear, my writing changed”.

SCENE 2: The Phoenix Rises

The following year Gea created Out of the Ashes Entertainment company. During the launch she outlined her eagerness to leave her footprint on the world and as good as she was before, the shift in dynamics in her plays became a tangible force. Her plays have always been a reflection of Bahamian life and the times, the reality of who we are as a people and how we have changed. After her illness, she became bolder and incorporated more topical issues and marketed to a broader and less traditional theater audience…men and millennials. The first play under the Out of the Ashes umbrella “Perfect in Weakness” held largely to her traditional roots but bringing in new and fresher themes like infidelity and gang violence.

Gea’s next production was the wildly popular Crazy Love which audiences could not seem to get enough of. It eventually gave rise to 3 sequels and still managed to leave audiences begging for more. The Crazy Love series resulted in 4 Icon awards (the Bahamian version of the Oscars); 2 for writing and

2 for her outstanding ensemble cast. Following Crazy Love was hit after hit in the form of Friends with Benefits, Forever Us (a Bahamian fairy tale) and March On: The Story of Us. Each one of these shows were long running hits which had captivated audiences in both Nassau and Freeport. March On also enjoyed limited runs in Abaco as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands. Gea had her hand on the pulse of the Bahamian working class and was able to craft stories that resonated with almost everyone. Never has there been a playwright in the Bahamas that was able to wring such strong emotion from her audience…whether anger, heartache or deep uncontrollable belly laughs.

SCENE 3: I Lived

Gea’s plays gained her not only nationwide recognition, they also gained her another family. Most people familiar with her work also knew that her cast were near and dear to her heart. This cast and crew was an ever expanding circle that travelled the world together, had Christmas dinners together, celebrated birthdays and other special events together. Collectively they laughed, cried, loved, fought, reconciled, felt guilt, fear, anger, sadness, joy, disappointment and regret…just like any family…together.

Because Gea believed in providing opportunities for new and fresh faces and allowing people to recognize the talent in themselves that was previously unleashed, this group has grown over the years from the core members. Gea was always shy and unassuming, content to remain in the background. However, when she was with her cast and crew, she sparkled as bright as any diamond and to witness

her carefree and light-hearted demeanor in their presence was a joy to behold. As much as they credited her for pulling the best out of them, they also pulled a better, more youthful version of herself out of her.

ACT IV

SCENE 1: Winding Down

Gea’s Opus was March On: The Story of U.S. Commissioned to write a play to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bahamas Independence by the Government of the Bahamas, Gea recognized this opportunity and embraced it with every fibre of her being. This was a love letter to the Bahamian people showcasing all the greatest achievements of the country and its native sons and daughters up to independence and the 50 years since. Gea engaged historian Dr. Donald McCartney, to ensure the highest level of accuracy was maintained and she wove a sweeping tale around the facts that left audiences enthralled. The poem at the beginning which revisited her poetic roots left many in tears and aroused emotions of untapped pride and patriotism in many. Sadly, shortly after its initial run and the Nassau staging of the play, Gea’s health started to finally slow her down. For most of its long run, Gea had to rely on the training and expectations of excellence that she had instilled in her team to take the show to new places. She watched proudly from her home as accolades were showered on her Out of the Ashes crew. She was beaming to see her name being called in the House of Assembly. It was always her wish to see her name being mentioned in rooms in which she would never set foot. She smiled as she realized that her dream of leaving her footprints on this earth was coming to fruition. She was walking in her purpose but in true Gea fashion, she refused to give up and would continue to fight through her pain.

Christmas of 2024, Gea sensed her end and orchestrated a family reunion of epic proportions, summoning all her siblings from near and far to congregate at her home to reminisce on days gone by and spend one final Christmas together. Of course, at the time none of them imagined what her true motive was in this endeavor. They knew Gea loved to celebrate big events in grand fashion. 2025 rolled in and no one imagined that this year would differ from any other. In mid January, Gea along with her family,

mourned the loss of her Uncle Matthew. Gea always became pensive whenever there was a discussion of his passing. She seemed to possess an innate awareness of the details recounted of his last moments.

THE FINAL CURTAIN CALL

Gea’s health took a decided turn for the worse in mid February. Always a fighter, she endured what would have defeated lesser individuals, she remained optimistic and hopeful. Gea was so in tune with her illness, she knew every aspect of what was going on with her body and always researched how best to treat whatever was ailing her at any given time. It was obvious that this time was different from all the other times that she was able to bounce back, but Gea confided that she had so much to look forward to this year that she simply could not afford to give up. In fact, she was simply waiting for her body to cooperate in order to debut her latest play entitled “The Playbook.”

Gea’s challenges began mounting early in March and her mobility became compromised. She knew that the closing credits were imminent and her demeanor shifted from determined warrior to introspective resolution. Every warrior recognizes that there comes a time when you have to put down your sword and surrender - in this case to the will of the Most High. Gea in her final week was operating in the Spirit Realm. She knew her family and loved ones were not ready to let her go, so through discernment and intuition she began to quietly prepare them for what she knew was coming. She simply admonished them to pray because this warrior was tired and battle weary.

At 1:27 am on the morning of March 23, She made her transition from time to eternity. She bravely faced her fate and embraced her new assignment with her Father. Her 46 years on this earth touched countless lives and the impact left by her footprints will never be filled by another. She fulfilled her purpose and left this life empty. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

Survived

by Family and Friends

Left to cherish memories created over her lifetime are: Mother: Carolyn Beatrice Pierre; Father: Rocher “Tony” Pierre Sr.; Grandmother: Florence Anita Missick; Sisters: Melissa Arthur, Rhonda Finley (Ian), Antonia Hanna (Adrian), Synetra Rolle (Jason) & Denika Arthur; Brothers: Rocher Pierre Jr. “TJ”, Jean Guillaume Pierre, Dominique Rocher Pierre, Randy J. Pierre; Niece: Adrienne; Nephews: Duran, Devante, Ian Jr. “Jaime”, Ethan, Samuel, Dylan & Gabriel; Grand Niece: Destiny; Uncles: Calvin Missick (Joyce), Ervin Missick (Verona), Anthony Missick (Patrina); Aunts: Sheryl Bastian, Sheena Missick, Valerie Missick, Melanie Haston (Darren),

Shirley Mae Pitter, Selma Moore (Steven); Cousins: Shandi, Sierra, Canovia (Ray), Navi, Cali, Cathanina, Shavado, Sherika (Travis), Synai, Sasczha, Antonya, Anthony “AJ”, Antonique, Deyon “Teko”, Georjana, Raquel (Chris), Mornica “Pat” (Bertram), George (Sherene), Trevor (Shereta), Moses (Dahlia) & Sherone; Godmothers: Pat Stuart and Zennith Williams; Godfather: Edouard Rinnil;

Friends: Deschanel Hamilton, Lavonda Russell, Diana Dell’Angello, Sharika Perigord, Covena Murphy, Juliet Benjamin, Ramardo Russell, Patrice Johnson, David Wallace, Claire & Kayla Green, Gino Jones, Gea Robinson, Hon. Michael Pintard, Hon. Ginger Moxey, Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Hon. Mario Bowleg and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ed Edwards, Barbara Pedican, Mrs. Greta Knowles, Beverly Mather & Family, Genesta Jackson & Family, Arabell Black and family, Gloria Delancy & Family, Irma Jones and Family, Gina Williams & Family, Jaccene Dorastin & Family, Jean Claude Noel & Family, Joanis Louis & Family, Narces Royal & Family, Kevin Tomlinson, the family of the late Donald Scott, Madlyn Finley & family, the Hanna family, the Rolle family, the Missick family, Ciceron, Jusma and Desauguste Families, Pastor Kyle Maycock and the Freeport Bible Church family; The Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King Church family; Bishop Kermit Saunders and Kingdom Worship Center Family, Rev. Dr. Keith Russell and the First Baptist Church family; Rev. Cyril Sands and the Miracle Life International Church family, Bishop Cardinal McIntosh, St. Paul’s Methodist College Class of 1998, The Travel Club (Shawn Mader, Kayla Smith and Lisa Williams), Tony’s Custom Tailoring family, Freeport Players’ Guild/Regency Theatre, Grand Bahama Players, Gorgeous Essentials, Lupus Bahamas, Management and Staff of Atlantis Paradise Island Theater, The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts family, Public Hospital Authority Human Resources, Quality and Patient Safety, Finance and Central Staffing & Communications Departments, the Bahamian Icon Awards family, Out of the Ashes Entertainment/Gea Pierre Productions casts, staff and crew family, the theater audience throughout the Bahamas who have given their unwavering love and support to Gea through the years and anyone whose life was impacted in some small or large way by Gea.

ORDER OF SERVICE

PRELUDE | Musical Piece

OPENING SENTENCES | Pastor Kyle Maycock

OPENING PRAYER:

PRAISE & WORSHIP SET | Freeport Bible Church Praise Team

1ST SCRIPTURE READING | Kayla Smith - 2 Corinthians 12: 6-10

REFLECTIONS/REMARKS

Rev. Dr. Keith Russell – First Baptist Church

Father Colin Saunders – Pro Cathedral of Christ the King

Mr. Tevard Bastian – Acting Hospital Administrator, Grand Bahama Health Services, Public Hospitals Authority

The Hon. Ginger Moxey - Minister for Grand Bahama

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN – I’m Glad I Counted the Cost

When first I started to seek the Lord, I’m glad I counted the cost; I fully measured my Jesus’ Word; I’m glad I counted the cost.

(Chorus)

I’ve paid the price and obtained the prize, He saved my soul that was lost; And now my treasures are in the skies, I’m glad I counted the cost.

I laid my sorrows at Jesus’ feet, I’m glad I counted the cost; And now I’ve pleasures so pure and sweet, I’m glad I counted the cost. I’ve bid farewell to this world of sin, I’m glad I counted the cost; And now my Jesus abides within, I’m glad I counted the cost.

I cast on Jesus my every care, I’m glad I counted the cost; And all my burdens He helps to bear, I’m glad I counted the cost. ’Twill not be long till the Lord shall come, I’m glad I counted the cost; And bear my soul to that heav’nly home, I’m glad I counted the cost.

TRIBUTES

Diana Dell’Angello (College Roommate/friend)

Deschanel Hamilton & LaVonda Russell (St. Paul’s College Class of ‘98)

SPECIAL SELECTION

Mrs. Zina Robins

2ND SCRIPTURE READING

Juliet Benjamin - Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11

TRIBUTES

Mark Gardiner & Patrice Johnson (Out of the Ashes Entertainment) Family Tribute from Ian James Finley Jr. (Nephew)

The Hon. Michael C. Pintard (Member of Parliament - Marco City

SPECIAL MUSICAL SELECTION: Oslien Jadorte

EULOGY

PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY

Bishop Cardinal McIntosh

CLOSING PRAYER

CLOSING HYMN – It’s Alright Now

There was a time I travelled a lonely sinful road; Beneath a heavy burden bending low; But now all things are different, since Jesus took my load It’s alright now, I’m His I know.

(Chorus)

It’s alright now, for I am in my Saviour’s care It’s alright now; my Saviour hears and answers prayer He’ll walk with me, (He’ll walk beside me) Till I climb the heavenly stair, And everything (And everything is alright now)

And down a lonely pathway, without a friend to guide, I walked in sin and sorrow all alone

‘Till Jesus came and found me, and drew me to His side; It’s alright now, for I’m His own.

No more in sin I wander, no more in darkness roam The Lord has placed my feet on higher ground; Each day new heights I’m gaining, my soul is nearing home, It’s alright now, I’m heaven bound.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

HYMN

WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

(Chorus)

It is well, it is well, With my soul, with my soul, It is well; it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

PRAYER

COMMITTAL

CLOSING HYMN

CITY OF GOLD

There’s a city of Light, where there cometh no night; ‘Tis a city of beauty untold; All my treasures are there and its beauty I’ll share, When I get to that city of gold.

(Chorus)

When I leave all trouble and care, I will say good morning up there; I will have great gladness untold, When I get to that city of gold

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend Even so, it is well with my soul

There’s no sorrow up there in that city so fair And no sickness can enter I’m told; Shadows all will have flown, I will meet friend I’ve known When we get to that city of gold.

Won’t you go there with me to the home of the free, Would you see heaven’s beauty unfold? If you will come along, we will sing heaven’s song When we get to that City of gold.

WHEN A WOMAN RISES

For Gea Pierre,

When a woman rises, the earth remembers. She bends not like a reed,

But like a flame — bold, insistent, Teaching the wind how to dance.

Gea walked with stories in her bones, History braided in her hair,

The salt of Bahamian shores on her tongue — She did not whisper. She declared.

With every play, she stitched the soul

Of islands bruised but breathing. She painted women fierce and full, And men who dared to feel.

She was not a visitor to greatness. She was its architect.

With pen and light, stage and script, She built cathedrals out of truth.

When Gea spoke, laughter came running.

When she wrote, pain sat down to listen. When she directed, even silence obeyed, Molded by her fire.

Now she walks where ancestors hum, But her voice — oh, her voice — stays. It echoes in black boxes and bright halls,

In every Bahamian girl who dares to dream.

You may lay flowers at her feet, But do not mourn like she is gone. She is risen. She is remembered. She is here.

And still — she rises.

A TRIBUTE TO GEA PIERRE

On behalf of all casts and crew Out of the Ashes Entertainment & Gea Pierre Productions Today, we honor the extraordinary life of our sister, friend, and fearless leader...Gea Pierre. To us, she was more than a playwright; she was a visionary. Her God-given gift for storytelling didn’t just entertain; it transformed lives. Through powerful productions like A Tribute to Mama, Kinfolk, We Gatta Do Better, A Change Gatta Come, Election 2017: The Final Shuffle, I Object, Perfect in Weakness, Crazy Love, Friends with Benefits, Forever Us, and March On: The Story of Us, Gea used her voice to speak truth, spark change, and celebrate the beauty found in both struggle and triumph. Beyond the stage, she was also an accomplished poet whose words carried the weight of history, emotion, and unshakable purpose. With brilliant pieces like Someone Please Take Me to Abaco, The Roach, A Diamond in the Rough, The Liars, Black People so Cheap, The March Continues, and many more, Gea painted vivid portraits of the human experience, leaving an indelible mark on hearts and minds alike.

Gea was pure light. She walked into every room with a bold spirit, infectious laughter, and a heart wide open. She made you feel seen, heard, and deeply loved, even if she threw in a little playful roasting along the way. No matter the setting, Gea brought a joy and authenticity that reminded us to be ourselves; flawed, fabulous, and full of life.

Through Gea Pierre Productions and Out of the Ashes Entertainment, she created more than art; she built a family and a massive creative network. She gave creatives a home, a voice, and the confidence to shine. Gea, thank you for believing in us, for leading us with love, and for showing us how to rise. The curtain may have closed, but your light and legacy will forever march on. We love you, we honor you, and we will carry your torch with pride. Rest well, Queen.

We loved you before we met you. Without knowing that you would grow to have your Daddy’s face and your Mummy’s heart we loved you. We nurtured you, supported you and adored you, not for your gift that you shared with others but for the blessing you were to our lives by just being you. The loss of your presence is a weight that we hoped that we would never have to carry. And we long for the day when we only think of you with joy and happy memories instead of all this pain and tears. You are and will forever be our joy, our baby girl, our one and only Gea.

With love, Mummy & Daddy

TO GEA WITH LOVE,

It is inconceivable to our hearts to speak of you in the past tense and share you in only memories, but unfortunately sister this is our tainted new reality and therefore those memories will always be filled with thoughts of laughter, joy and pure love.

You were loved beyond measure and this is why this loss is so great, because your presence and giant personality demanded so much of our love that it is overflowing from our souls for you. Your absence is too great to put into words and the pain is so heavy that we wonder if this is physically possible to bear. We also know that there is so much pain because we have so much love for you. We were your first friends, cast members, your forever cheerleaders,

advocates and protectors. You were third in line but constantly tried to rule, gave instructions like a teacher and advice on everything under the sun. You took on our children as your own, giving them crazy nicknames that they answered to their Auntie Gigi with pride. You loved hard and forgave others with ease but as your soldiers we could never forget. Your gift was a blessing to experience but your big heart was a treasure to receive. Everyone fell in love and will miss the creative genius, but for us we will miss the “plus-sized fashion icon”, our sister, our friend, our Gea.

Sleep in paradise.

With all our love, Lisa, Rhonda, Tonia, Netra, Nika & TJ

Gea you and I always had a special relationship. You and your siblings were all my children before I had children of my own, in fact people thought that you all were my kids.

I can remember the nights when I would take you with me to my job at Xanadu working the midnight shift. You enjoyed those bonding moments so much and I enjoyed your company. You always called me “the cool aunt”.

You loved going for drives and always insisted that you had to sit in the front seat, whoever else came along for the ride knew that they had to take the backseat.

I was always one of your biggest fans and your strongest advocate when you began writing poetry, and I never hesitated to show off your talents to anyone who would listen. I never missed one of your performances and could always be found front and center in the audience beaming with pride.

In recent years, during your illness, I would call you often to check on you and send you motivational messages. I encouraged you to keep praying and to fight. Whatever need you expressed, I would do all in my power to ensure it was fulfilled.

You will never know how much it meant to me when you gave the toast to me at Rika’s wedding, even in your pain you came through for me.

When you called me less than an hour before your transition and admonished me to pray, stating that you were tired and couldn’t take the pain much longer, I did not know that you were trying to prepare me for what was coming. In my selfish love, I begged you to fight…not ready to let you go.

Gea, I know you are enjoying your new body free from pain, despite the fact that I miss you terribly. I will always love and honor your memory and cherish the 46 years that God loaned you to us.

Forever in my heart, Love Sherry

MY DEAREST GIGI,

How do I adequately express what you meant to me? From the moment you were born you captured my heart. I remember when I first saw you, I was so jealous of Lisa and Rhonda….I cried because I wanted a baby sister too. From that moment until now that’s exactly what you were, my sister.

I recall vividly your summers spent with us. I smile when I think about our shared love for both horror and tearjerker movies. I chuckle when I think about your offbeat and irreverent sense of humour. I laugh openly when I think of our mutual trypophobia and how you created the phrase “beady and gross”. I beam with joy when I think of how proud I was of your talents: both poetic and playwriting.

I remember being there when you got the diagnosis in 2014. I remember trying to encourage you that it would be alright, while inside I was devastated and afraid of what your future would look like.

The years following this were filled with highs and lows. Thank God the highs outweighed the lows because you were so busy making your mark on the world.

I wish I could have absorbed some of the pain that you endured in recent times because it was heart wrenching watching you go through the lows and being unable to help. I know when I asked how you were feeling you would sugarcoat because you didn’t want us to know how bad the pain really was.

I thank God that you knew that I needed to spend some time with you on Saturday March 22nd. You always were wise beyond your years. Now I’m still trying to grapple with the reality that you now exist only in our memories and I will hold them close to my heart as long as I live and breathe.

Sleep on my love until we meet again, Sheena

Inever knew it was possible to miss praying for someone...to miss offering encouragement during the most difficult times. Pretty selfish when I think about it, but I guess what I’m trying to say is that I miss being there for you to depend on. I know that you’re in a better place, but to me that’s no consolation for the desire I have to hear your voice, as laboured and tired as it was, especially in the final few weeks. It is my hope that you’re up there continuing to do what you did best.

I love you, your Va.

A Diamond IN THE ROUGH

You think that you are better And that I am just a disgrace. You nod your head and cast your eyes As you look upon my face. For every problem

You seem to give me the blame. You call me many names That make me hold my head in shame.

You seem to determine How far I will go. You ridicule me And now my self-esteem is low.

You always tell me what I didn’t get, Never commending me on what I’ve achieved. You taught me that I wasn’t worthy And thus my heart believed.

You always saw me as half empty When half full was my cup. I tried to fit in Never quite adding up. But each day I’m getting stronger As only I can see. And I will not be the failure That you expect me to be.

I’m going to stand on my own feet, And Yes, fall when times are tough.

But don’t ever say I’m not special; I’m a diamond in the rough. *************

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Your words have comforted us, your support has strengthened us, and your love has sustained us. We extend our heartfelt thanks to you for your kindness during our greatest sadness. Your expressions of sympathy, gifts, uplifting words and most of all your prayers are what got us through this painful time. As we navigate this life going forward, we will find comfort in the love that we know surrounded Gea during her life.

The Family of the late Gea Pierre

PALLBEARERS

Remardo Russell

Mark Gardiner

Evan Williams

Donovan Munroe

Kenrick Blatch

Ontario Richardson

Andre Cartwright

Matthew Wildgoose

HONOURARY PALLBEARERS

Rocher J. Pierre Jr.

Ian Finley Sr.

Adrian Hanna

Jason Rolle

Calvin Missick

Tel: 394-BOOK (2665) Mobile: (242) 818-3478

SCAN HERE