Devon Dick

On Saturday, October 6, in the Sandy Bay Cemetery, after a 47-year existence in the community, Deacon Kathleen Blackhall was laid to rest. Affectionately known as 'Miss Kat', she was an unsung heroine of the community and country.

I have many fond memories of Miss Kat. She was a genuine and deep Christian. She was the mother of nine children, two (daughters) of whom predeceased her. One of them, 'Freddie', was killed in her home by Freddie's husband in 1985. Shortly thereafter, the Fletcher's Grove Baptist Church started a ministry to the jail at the Sandy Bay Police Station, in Hanover. At first, Miss Kat said she could not be part of the ministry because of the memories associated with the murder of her daughter. However, as the ministry continued she supported it in her own way.

According to Lorene Holness, Kathleen Blackhall was a "woman of substance" and she was recognised by both the local Baptist Church and Seventh-day Adventist Church for services to the community. She was also a leading member of the senior citizens group.

Singing for christ

Miss Kat was also a resilient and industrious person. In the 1990s, late in life, she taught herself to play the keyboard and used her new-found talent and skill to enhance the worship services of the church. She also sang on the choir, oftentimes being the only bass. Her daughter, Pamella, eulogised her as the minister of transportation for her church because she organised many outings and trips for the church members.

Miss Kat was compassionate. She cared for persons who were poor. According to her pastor, Rev. Robert Daley, the day before she died, she had submitted a list of members of the church and community who needed to receive food supplies. In the funeral programme, she was called the 'Mother Teresa of Sandy Bay'. I also found her to be caring and loving. I spent five years in Sandy Bay (1985-90) as pastor of the Fletcher's Grove Baptist Church, and she would visit the manse also every day to ensure that my family was comfortable. It was a regular feature of her home for persons to gather on her verandah, waiting on her dinner. She was not the richest person, but she was one of the kindest persons I have known. She was kind to a fault.

Miss Kat was a courageous and strong woman. And her sons, David, 'Jumbo', 'Doctor' and Dirk, have all inherited her courageous trait. Dirk, who lives in England, was publicly recognised for a brave act of rescuing someone from a burning building.

The last time I saw Miss Kat was earlier this year at the wedding of her daughter, Angella, to Mark Royan. I remember her introducing me as her 'former pastor'. It was the first time that she had referred to me as 'former pastor' and not 'pastor'. Perhaps, it was her way of saying that she was leaving this life.

Full support

Many persons from all walks of life were present, including the incumbent Member of Parliament Barrington Gray and Resident Magistrate Evon Brown. The three-hour service was standing room only with people having to shelter under umbrellas and looking through windows and doors. Many pastors were present, including Rev. Vlin Jolly, who remembered her ironing his khaki clothes. When time came for her pastor, Rev. Robert Daley, to preach, he, likewise many others, found it difficult to maintain his composure. The tears flowed freely.

Kathleen Blackhall was born June 2, 1936, in Leamington, Westmoreland, to Idozeen and James Morris. She was the second of two daughters of 11 children. In the passing of Miss Kat, the Blackhalls, the church and Sandy Bay have lost an unsung heroine.