It is the end of an era for a woman who transcended political boundaries, but it is also a time to reminisce for Evelyn Sangster-Barnes and Effie and Serajh Lakasingh, the three individuals who in life and death were at the side of Gladys Bustamante, commonly called 'Lady B'.
On Tuesday, the three caregivers, who called Lady B mother and later, friend, sat with The Gleaner looking through old photographs and sharing their experiences with her.
The Lady B they presented was not the union activist, or the political matriarch, but a woman who was carefree, independent, fun loving and classy, a woman who possessed a rare but great sense of humour.
She had no children of her own but had a lot of love to give to those around her. This love she used to touch the lives of many.
Serajh met Lady B at the tender age of nine and remembers an excellent storyteller and caregiver who welcomed him into her life without much thought.
He said on visiting Retreat, St Thomas, Lady B would put him on her knee and tell stories. He couldn't help but be drawn to her.
Effie, his wife, said, "Aunt B had very endearing ways, and her qualities have bounced off on me."
beautiful friendship
Affectionately called Lyn, Evelyn's first encounter with Lady B took place when she was 15 years old. Their relationship blossomed into a beautiful friendship.
"She (Lady B) made my first wedding dress and she was there for me during my divorce," said Lyn.
According to Lyn, Lady B loved to hug and enjoyed close connections with people.
Lyn said at times, she would comb Lady B's hair. She made regular visits from the United States to visit Lady B four times each year.
The time the three spent with Lady B was a source of happiness and pride.
What stood out most for them about Lady B, was the country trips she loved to take.
On these occasions, Lady B wanted to do the driving and would pull up at various places and ask for friends, or people she had known from the communities.
"One year, we (Lady B and Serajh) were going to Westmoreland and she stopped at a yard and asked a man if 'John Bull lives here?'," remembered Serajh.
It is also on these country journeys that the lover of the colours blue and pink would, with much vigour, declare: "The night is young, and so are we."
Lady B, the humanitarian, never hesitated to help and it did not matter if it was a stranger.
"She never hesitates to help. At times, she would get letters from persons thanking her for helping them, and she, at times, could not remember who they were, or how she had helped," said Lyn.
The gardener, farmer and woman who loved to sew, entertained but never liked to cook, died on July 25 at the age of 97.
Today, Lady B's final farewell will go down in history, but her memory will continue through the lives she was able touch and those she inspired through the various roles she took on - fund-raiser, mother, caregiver, friend, visitor and union activist.