And after the funeral came the burial, with all the pomp and ceremony that the state could muster. The soldiers, ministers, and senators surrounding the casket marched to the Lord's Ridge Ceremony, where Doctor Dame Minita Gordon was finally laid to rest.
Courtney Menzies followed the procession up to the grave site and has the story from the sidewalk and the cemetery.
Immediately following the cortege and the funeral, was the procession leading up to the burial site. The BDF bearer party in front and beside the casket, followed by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and a few other ministers and senators marched from the Cathedral on Albert Street East to Orange Street, Cemetery Road, and then to the Lord Ridge Cemetery.
Along the way, a few onlookers trickled onto the sidewalks to pay their respects to Belize's first Governor General. As they watched the casket draped in the Belize flag, they reminisced about Dame Minita.
Resident
"I know this lady from creation, from I was small I used to go to this lady house from I'm a baby."
Courtney Menzies:
"And what are your memories of her?"
Resident
"The things that she used to share with people."
Courtney Menzies:
"What kind of person was she?"
Resident
"Loving person, no matter what kind of race you are, she was a loving person, always helpful in life."
Courtney Menzies:
"And now you're here paying your respects in your full red, white and blue."
Resident
"It's Belizean culture that she was loved."
Resident
"I come to see the last of Dame Minita Gordon because I'm a member of Plues Street and she's from Plus Street."
Courtney Menzies:
"So What do you remember about her?"
Resident
"Oh, passing, coming down our area where I born and grow, Patnett yard, "Good morning, how are you, good morning!" She was a lady of manners and dignity."
Courtney Menzies:
"What are your feelings now that she has passed away and we are going to bury her?"
Resident
"Oh, it's so sad. Good people shouldn't have to go to sleep."
Resident
"I used to clean the yard for her mother, Miss May, and she was always there and she helped to bring me up with discipline and learn to tell the truth. That is something I am really grateful for her for. And surprisingly, when I grew up I went to work at Radio Belize and I used to be the technician there, and she had requested that she don't want nobody else to come to Government House when she has functions, she only want Mr Louis to come and do her function because she knew that I was discipline and I understand her more than most people do."
Resident
"You said she was your neighbor what can you remember about growing up next to her?"
Resident
"She was always good to us children, she took care of everybody in the neighbor always tell you get an education. She spoke on that so often, get an education."
Courtney Menzies:
"When she became the first governor general, what was that like? What do you remember about that day?"
Resident
"We were so happy, somebody from the neighborhood, Plues Street, George Street, rose to the top."
Discipline and dignified - the two words used most to describe her. Her former neighbor also reflected on her humility.
Resident
"I remember one day I ask her, governor general, why do you still live in this house on Plues Street? She said Mr Louis, its only a house and Government House is only a house, I'm more comfortable here than there. So I'm really thankful for what she has done for me. And also when I got married, oh man, I had the dance with her. Her favorite music was the Dell and Sensation, because they play the real roots music and she enjoys that."
She made history, not only as the first governor general, but also as the first female to hold such a position in the Commonwealth. She was hand picked by the Father of the Nation - and residents lovingly referred to her as the Mother of the Nation.
And this is why she was more than deserving of a state funeral and an official burial. A larger crowd stood among the graves as they watched the ceremony. The Burial Rites included an official salute, followed by a canon salute.
Two military airplanes circled overhead, followed by a minute of silence and the sound of a reveille.
The government officials then hung the wreaths that wished her farewell.
And while it was a send off fit for a queen, Dame Minita was not always treated as such. One resident, and close friend of hers, told us that she did not always have this much support in her corner.
Resident
"She was a very discipline person and I could tell you that during the 70's she and I had a youth group for underprivileged kids in Mesop area. And you know what I'm proud of? Because a lot of those children are in very good position now working to help their family."
Courtney Menzies:
"What was it like working alongside her?"
Resident
"Oh, she was great because she always believe in real things and she believe in everything that was right."
Courtney Menzies:
"So you were very close to her so what are the feelings now that she has passed away?"
Resident
"Let me tell you something. It hurt me now because in all this flangalang as old people all it, when she was really sick, she didn't have all this, and it hurt me because we were so close and I tell you it's like 40 years and they're talking about special this to go to funeral, special this to view body, I will remember when she was alive because she's a great woman."
