Late Chief Librarian interred amidst poignant expressions of deep grief

THE body of Gillian Merle Thompson, late Chief Librarian of the Guyana National Library and Member of the University of Guyana’s Prize for Literature, was yesterday laid to rest at the Methodist Cemetery at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, following a moving Thanksgiving Service for her life at the Trinity Methodist Church at High and Leopold Streets in Georgetown.Earlier in the day, her body lay in state at the Merriman Funeral Home at Lime and Bent Streets, and hundreds filed past in quiet reverence to view the body and pay their last respects.

The late Gillian Merle Thompson had been the daughter of Clement Sylvanus Thompson and the late Joyce Lucille Valerie Thompson. She had been sister to nine siblings. She died on December 24, 2013 (Christmas Eve Day) in a horrific motor vehicle accident at the junction of North Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive in Georgetown.

Conducting the service, which attracted a crowd that literally overspilled the church pews and solemnly inched their way to get an opportunity to view the body, were Reverend Noelsaint Badette and Reverend Glenna Spencer, Superintendent Organist was Ms. Lynette Cunha.

There were several messages and tributes acknowledging the life and good works of the late literary icon, who had lived her life in service to God as a staunch member of the Bedford Methodist Church, where she had also served as a Sunday School teacher. She had been dedicated to the work of the National Library and to assistance of the reading public of Guyana; her father and siblings, whom she had cherished, and to whose upliftment she had dedicated her life; and the myriad young children who cause she had championed by helping to enrich their lives through her involvement in humanitarian organizations across Guyana.

Those offering tributes included Ms Emily King, Deputy Chief Librarian of the National Library; Ms. Donna Chapman, Assistant Chief Education Officer; Mr. Pitamber Persaud, Chairman of the National Library Committee; Dr. Roland Aaron, who read the Eulogy; and the Bedford Methodist Church, where she fellowshipped for approximately the last 20 years.

Messages were also received from E.R. Braithwaite, and there were tributes in song and dance by Desmond Thompson, Tyson, Natalie and Charmaine Cort, among others.
Amidst a deluge of glowing and emotional tributes, Ms. Thompson, a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Masters Degree in Library Sciences, and who had been Chief Librarian for the last nine years, was remembered as a literary icon; one who worked at the National Library for over two decades, beginning from November, 1, 1991.

In 2004, she became Chief Librarian, and worked tirelessly for the advancement of the National Library and her staff, until her untimely passing on December 24, 2013.
She was alluded to by the Ministry of Education as a consummate professional mandated to promote literacy in Guyana, who dedicated her time, energy, and professional training in library science towards the advancement of reading locally.

Moreover, Ms. Thompson was described as a woman with a radiant smile; quiet, caring and compassionate; a friend in need and a friend indeed; a mentor, one who possessed great leadership qualities; and a great source of inspiration to others with whom she came into contact.

In private life, she was remembered by the Deputy Chief Librarian as a very private person; a friend, confidante, well respected, calm, soft spoken, committed, and a woman of great integrity. She was also a stickler for discipline.

In his message, E.R. Braithwaite said he was eminently impressed by Ms. Thompson’s calm demeanour, but had cause to contrast it with what he called her ‘persuasive power’ in getting things done. He said he was deeply saddened at the death of one he referred to as a mentor and effective leader, but was thankful for his professional encounter with her on his visit home to Guyana a few years ago.

And Chairman of the National Library, Petamber Persaud, amidst expressing his grief, had one thing to pleasantly reflect on: He took pride in relating that just a few days before Ms. Thompson’s demise, during a meeting at the Library, staff took the opportunity of expressing to her what a wonderful person she was. “We were able to pay tribute to her while she was alive, and that is a moment we will all remember,” he added rather emotionally.

And amidst a deluge of tearful tributes, Gillian Thompson’s siblings lamented the loss of a wonderful sister, a friend and a confidante, even as they shared cherished memories of the impact she had made on their lives and on the lives of her many nieces and nephews. For them, Gillian was possessed of fine motherly qualities, even though she had no children of her own; and she had reached out to all, always with words of wise inspiration and sage counsel.

Essentially, she used to admonish them to place a high premium on higher education; and fortunately, she had lived to see the benefits pay off.

Sherie, an elder sister who resides abroad, recalled travelling home to Guyana just two months ago for Gillian’s 47th birthday and experiencing a memorable moment then. She urged family members and others whose lives Gillian had touched not to focus on her death, but on those wonderful moments during which she would have touched others’ lives.

Likewise, her eldest brother, Colin, had memories of Gillian’s warmth, tenderness, and deep loyalty to the family. Colin recalled being deeply touched by his sister’s gentleness and calm demeanour; and moreover, he reflected on the words of a Christmas card she had sent him just a few days before her tragic passing. He said the words in that card were powerful and inspirational.

“She was simple, gentle, but powerful, just like those words were. She had that human touch, and showed she cared for and loved us all,” he said.

Now that Gillian is gone, the family will redouble their efforts to be even more caring and compassionate to each other, Colin said.