Condolences on the Passing of Lady Edith Turnquest

Statement by the Right Honourable Hubert A. Ingraham, M.P., Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, on the Death of Lady Edith Turnquest,
House of Assembly, Nassau, Bahamas, 12 May 2010

It is with profound sadness that my colleagues and I learned today of the death of Edith Lady Turnquest, who passed away in London at about 6:50pm London time.

On behalf of my colleagues and my wife I express sincere condolences to her husband Sir Orville Turnquest, our former Governor General and a fellow colleague for many years.

Lady Turnquest will be remembered for so many reasons, now too difficult to enumerate.

Not only was she wife, mother and grandmother, the epicentre of her immediate family, but she also included in her extended family many nieces and nephews, cousins, godchildren and members of her church family.

Lady Turnquest supported her husband in everything, and more particularly during his service to the Bahamian people, most recently when he served as Governor General. Her support for her children was unequivocal.

Aside from her commitment to her God, her church, her country and her family, she also generously gave of herself to so many others from far and wide, welcoming them into her home where she was a hostess par excellence.

A kind and giving person, she was nonetheless, forthright in her views and advice, always displaying a keen sense of humour and sharp wit.

She will be greatly missed.

I also offer condolences to my Cabinet colleague, the Hon. O. A. T. Tommy Turnquest, Minister of National Security, and his siblings, as well as Lady Turnquest’s grandchildren, other family members and friends.

Lady Turnquest possessed a generous spirit which manifested itself in her service to her family and various philanthropic and charitable organizations. At the appropriate time I will offer a fuller tribute to Lady Turnquest on behalf of a grateful nation.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.