As she was laid to rest yesterday, educator extraordinaire Anna Mahase was fondly remembered as the matriarch of St Augustine Girls’ High School (SAGHS), a powerful patriot and pioneer in education, among many other accolades. Although she never wed or had biological children, Mahase was considered a “mother” to scores of nieces and nephews, generations of SAGHS students, children participating in Red Cross Carnival activities and those whom she hosted at Christmas events at her Valsayn home. Stellar Service: Anna Mahase at the UWI graduation ceremony where she received an honorary doctorate.
—Photo: The UWI Throngs of mourners yesterday gathered at Aramalaya Presbyterian Church, Cochrane Street, Tunapuna, to bid farewell to Mahase, 91, who died early on May 24 at Medical Associates Hospital, St Joseph. The country girl from Guaico Village, Sangre Grande (north eastern Trinidad), who attained national and international recognition, was also hailed as a scion among the Indo-Trinidadian community. During Mahase’s lifetime, she was awarded the Chaconia Medal (Gold) and Medal of Merit (Gold) for public service, and two honorary doctorates.
Rev Daniel Teelucksingh, Rev Adrian Sieunarine and presiding elder David Nath officiated at Mahase’s farewell service. Teelucksingh prayed that people would “open their eyes to the beauty that still exists in the world”, while Sieunarine said Mahase’s indefatigable work ethic should permit everyone to “see what are people’.
