Azan

SPALDINGS, Clarendon:

Just days after announcing publicly that he would not be contesting an anticipated by-election for the North West Clarendon seat, Richard Azan, the People's National Party (PNP) card bearer in that constituency, has lost his mother.

Azan told The Gleaner that his mother, 68-year-old Pauline Allen, died on Sunday approximately 9:15 a.m. at the Percy Junor Hospital in Spaldings, after battling with diabetes for several years.

"It was as if she was waiting on me and my sister Sonia to come before she died. She died while we were with her. Sonia was combing her hair when she passed away. She was not speaking for a couple of days," said Azan.

Condolences have been pouring in for Allen.

Saddened

Hazel South, who has been associated with Allen for more than five decades, told The Gleaner that she was saddened by her passing.

"She was such a nice woman to many in Spaldings, especially to schoolchildren. Whenever students went to her shop and asked for something to drink, she was never hesitant in giving them something," said South.

South said Allen would long be remembered for her love for the poor and dispossessed and that her children Sonia, Tony and Richard would benefit from the legacy of her generosity.

Azan's political opponent, Michael Stern, against whom he has a dual-citizenship case in the court, has also expressed condolences to his rival and the members of his family. Azan said Stern called him personally and expressed his regret at his mother's passing.

The former North West Clarendon member of parliament said arrangements were being made for her thanksgiving service, which will be held at the Spaldings United Church, close to where his mother, who was an astute businesswoman, traded her wares for decades. The service is set for July 9 at 1 p.m.