Madam President, other members of the College’s executive team, Faculty, students, Family members and friends of Arlene Albury.

These past seven days have been difficult for so many of us as we search into our inner selves to find words of comfort over the passing of Arlene Albury. I have found some comfort by reflecting on the life work of Ms. Albury, casting memories of her love and willingness to help others and the transforming role that she played in so many of our lives.
 
We have a right to be deeply saddened by her passing. It is a collective loss, because all of us, some in ways that cannot be measured, have lost a wonderful spirit, a woman and colleague of tremendous courage and will, a friend with endless words of comfort and support and a Bahamian who cared deeply for her country and fellowmen.

Arlene Albury believed in the College, she believed in the students and she truly believed that COB and the Student Activities Department could be transforming agents in the lives of Bahamians. There are so many of us who entered and have left these doors that can speak honestly about the positive role and influences that she had in our lives.  She saw in each of us a unique talent, a treasure, which if natured and challenged would make us better individuals with a stronger commitment for educational excellence and personal success.  For her, Student Activities was much more than the organizing of events. She saw as a mission to reach out to students and to lend them her assistance, a listening ear and an encouraging word…because she recognized that as a community college there was still that requirement for a smooth transition and that without that guidance many may have lost their dream for higher education.

Ms. Albury taught us so many things. She guided us to the place where we understood that college and university life was more than just academics. It was about getting involved in activities on campus, joining a club, participating in COBUS…it was a journey of preparing us for life…of making all of us more responsible and turning this campus into a buzzing center of student participation. She manifested this in all she did…and for us who had a privilege to serve in COBUS, we knew that she would be our strongest supporter and advocate.  In fact, on many occasions she challenged us to think of ways that we could improve life for students, whether it was the dreaded registration, or the general campus life, or the bookstore... Ms. Albury was always preparing us for the future.

Ms. Albury was a strong believer in people. She never saw anyone as a failure. No person was a lost cause. She always saw some good in us. For her, everyone if given a fair chance had the potential to succeed. She had a strong belief in the power of people.

Ms. Albury saw in all of her students what so many others could not or dare not see. And that is why so many of us may have taken different paths but we always returned to the College and that is because we understood that it was this campus and the work of Ms. Albury and others that aided us on our life’s journey. She simply had magnificent influences over us.

Arlene Albury was passionate about helping others. Helping people was her cause. When others may have been fixated about their own challenges, she was busying herself trying to rescue this one and that one from their situations. She took in so many students. And, even after her retirement from the College she was still helping others, taking on new projects.

She possessed an unselfish spirit and a big heart that offered to so many a fresh opportunity. She never stopped caring, hoping for the best in us and she was ready at a moment’s call to lend a helping hand. I often wondered why she would do all of this…and on some occasions I will say to her are you really able to do this…and her response will be of course I am. They were the powerful words of non-surrender.

Her years in Student Activities and in particular, working with COBUS were important in the social and political development of so many of us. And even when we graduated she never saw that as the termination of a relationship but its further evolution. She some how knew when you would return from University on your breaks and she would always find someone who needed to hear of your experiences so that they can have hope, hope in their future and to build their confidences.

I can recall the days of her planning COYL and of her demanding your attendance and participation. There was always a job for you to do.

In 1996 she commandeered Darron Cash, Annette Major and I to be the coaches and trainers of COB’s debating team. We were given no option to refuse the invitation. We led COB’s team of 5 bright promising students to New York to compete in a collegiate debating tournament. In fact, that also led to the eventual marriage of Darron and Annette. And if you know Ms. Albury she really thought that she had special powers of setting people up...in this instance her powers proved to be right on the money.

I can personally attest to her continuing support and love. We developed a strong lasting bond over 21 years. She treated me as if I was her son. She was always there for me especially during those times when I needed her, and the beauty of it all is that I never had to solicit her help or her encouraging words, or especially her stern lectures…she just had that maternal sense that I was doing fool; and she knew just what to say to get me on the straight and narrow once again. She will forever have a lasting influence in my life, that quiet conscience which leads you to always take the right course.

There is so much more that I can say and share. But I leave you with this affirmation that her life is a testament of one who understands that her days are numbered. She lived it to the fullest, never wondering about herself but acting out the great command for man to love his neighbour as he loves himself.

Sola and I will miss her greatly…she was a fixture in our family… we will never forget her. I am confident that all of the students who came into contact with her, like Darron and Annette Cash, like Vincent Louis, like Tyrone Fitzgerald, like Gabriella Fraser, Tanya McCartney, Tammy Burrows, Gershawn Major, Keith Bell, all of those who had the privilege to serve in COBUS and who participated in the affairs of this College since 1987, the many thousands, will remember her and will salute her for her years of support and lasting friendship…and as we move through our lives we will be guided by the fact that she taught us that life is about helping and bringing aid to the lest amongst us…this was her motto, her creed and we must all try to live it, for when we do, we will be emulating and memorializing the life of our colleague, friend, sister, mother.

I pray that God has given her a gracious welcome in His loving arms.

May her soul rest in peace.