Pall-bearers, headed by the late Pauline Allen's granddaughters Shanna-Kaye Allen (left) and Barri-Ann Henry (right) take the coffin with their grandmother's body to the hearse after the thanksgiving service held last Thursday at the Spaldings United Church in Clarendon. - Photo by George Henry

It was a huge turnout of mourners who crammed the Spaldings United Church in Clarendon, to pay their last respects to Pauline Allen, mother of former member of parliament for North West Clarendon Richard Azan, last Thursday.

The list was headed by a large contingent of present and past representatives from both sides of the political divide, including Audley Shaw, Mike Henry, Everald Warmington, Michael Stern, Mayor Milton Brown, Portia Simpson Miller, Dr Peter Phillips, Noel Arscott, Bobby Pickersgill, Dean Peart and O.D. Ramtallie.

Allen, who passed away on June 28 after a long fight with diabetes, was given a fitting farewell, which was laced with glowing tributes for one who was well known and loved by individuals from all walks of life.

Community icon

She was one who had touched hundreds of lives in Spaldings, especially students at the Spaldings primary and high schools, Knox College and other schools in the area so no one in attendance was surprised when the tributes in songs, hymns and the spoken word were offered for the community icon.

For her part Simpson Miller, the opposition leader, said Pauline Allen was a remarkable, thoughtful, tremendously hardworking and jovial individual.

"She was an astute businesswoman who seized every opportunity to make a better life for herself and her family. She was a person of great devotion, integrity, love, compassion and service," Simpson Miller said.

She further described Allen as a good listener who was always available to hear the concerns of others and to lend a helping hand where it was needed; and that it was no wonder both political parties were highly represented at her thanksgiving service.

"Perhaps she is sending a message to us in death, that the same way that we can lend support to the bereaved family today, is the same way we should live in unity and demonstrate to the country that as leaders of this country, we can work together for the betterment of our people," Simpson Miller said.

Ruth Brown, principal at the Spaldings Primary School, told the crammed congregation that, when she arrived in Spaldings in 1975, she met Allen, who she described as a charming, quiet, loving and caring woman, who was loving and tender to children who often visited her shop.

Loved children

"I was particularly taken with Miss Pauline, because of the tenderness and patience she displayed with children; and from my experience in life, I know that any person who loves and takes care of children is a good person," noted Brown.

Doreen Evans, a close friend of Richard Azan, while delivering the eulogy said Allen was a businesswoman beyond comparison, mother supreme, and erudite farmer who was patriotic and selfless as a community icon.

"Pauline the businesswoman possessed interpersonal skills which would result in her customers deciding to offer Miss Pauline and Miss Pauline only, their business. She lived her life as a businesswoman and to her death she was a businesswoman," said Evans.

Allen was born in Spaldings on May 3, 1940 to James and Doris Allen and was the seventh of 11 children for her parents. Her early education was received at the Spaldings Elementary School (now Spaldings Primary) before she engaged in a number of worthwhile ventures including business, to take care of her family members, friends and associates.

Those who celebrated her life at her thanksgiving service endorsed the sentiments of others who said she has left behind a legacy for Richard Azan, his brother Anthony and his sister Sonia and other relatives to benefit from for decades to come.

Following the thanksgiving service, Allen's body was interred in the Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Mandeville.