A family member has confirmed the death of Dominican-born Dr. Violet Vyline Cuffy who died while working in England.
Cuffy, 55, was a Senior Lecturer in Events and Tourism Management, University of Bedfordshire at the time of her death.
Her brother, Fr. Franklin Cuffy, confirmed the news to Dominica News Online (DNO) and said the family is in a major state of mourning as they are yet again forced to lay another loved one to rest.
“Yes, I can confirm that she is dead. Her best friend had not seen her for a few days and she called several times but couldn’t reach her so she sent her son to find out if she’s okay and that’s when he found her in her house,” Fr. Cuffy stated.
He continued, “It’s hard for the family now, because we are just preparing for the burial of our first sister and now we have to bury another sister.”
Dr. Cuffy was in 2010 awarded the title of Doctor of Philosophy by the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom where she had successfully read for that degree as a Commonwealth Scholar.
She was qualified as a specialist teacher and held a certificate in Education Administration and Management (University of West Indies), first degree with honours in Education and Training (University of Technology) and a Master of Science from the University of the West the Indies.
Whilst in Dominica she worked in the field of education (St Martin Secondary School) for over thirteen years and in the tourism industry as a Community Tourism Business Development Officer as part of the EU Eco-tourism Development Programme.
Having combined her wide and varied educational and career pursuits in field of education and business, specifically tourism, into the area of her research focus, she was able to impressively defend her thesis in record time of that which is the norm for such viva voce.
Dr. Cuffy said her aim was to develop the research findings and to work closely with other renowned academics to make her own contributions in advancing the knowledge base within the field of tourism education and training. But importantly, according to her, the challenges faced while pursuing that research highlighted the need for these current results to be published and to add to the works of other Dominican experts and writers, in that case, focusing on tourism issues and concerns from an island perspective.
As an author, one of her most famous works included, The Book on Guest Houses.
The Caribbean has lost one of its dedicated, pragmatic and prolific academics who made the time to support a plethora of West Indian activities including its history and culture. She was one of the first to give her support for the idea to establish a biannual International Journal of Carnival Arts (IJCA) that was eventually launched in May 2020. Volume 4 was published in December 2021 (https://www.steelpanconference.com/) and continued to list Dr. Cuffy as a member of its Editorial Board. Her details listed in each volume of the journal were humble and dignified as: “Violet Cuffy, PhD, MSc, AICB, Bed. University of Bedfordshire. Sustainable tourism management, carnival arts, educator and community events. arts.” Volume 5, due to be published in May 2022 will be dedicated to her and would welcome a paper from one of her peers on her extraordinary life and career.
Professor Haroun N. Shah (Nostalgia Steelband, Editor-in -Chief; IJCA)
Middlesex University
Typical UWP ,16 comments out of 18 are morning the death of the distinguish Dr.CUFFY.Only 2 JACKA JONES(JEY JEY) and Waiting for airport are using Dr.Cuffy’s death to make political milage on behalf of UWP.My condolences goes out to the family of Dr.Cuffy,especially Father Franklyn CUFFY,a very quiet,humble and humble man.May her soul rest in peace.
I am very sorry to hear of Violet’s passing and pass my sincere condolences to her family and friends. We met a few years ago when she was working on her book Carnival, Culture and Tourism, and writing some articles for Soca News and Carnival Grooves magazines. She was such a warm, intelligent and interesting lady, and always a pleasure to meet at various events connected with Notting Hill Carnival. Her passing has come as a real shock; we shall miss her.
She was my PhD reviewer at the second stage of my PhD, and I worked with her in delivering the “Tourism, culture and society” unit at University of Bedfordshire in 2019. A very nice and intelligent person. She also advised me on my PhD topic: Indigenous Research methodologies and on the decolonisation of the academia. The last time I saw her was on 06/12/2021 and 13/12/2021 as she was teaching in a classroom near to mine. I am deeply sorry for this loss. We will miss you Dr Cuffy at the University of Bedfordshire. Our deepest condolences to the Cuffy’s family.
The Bradford Speaks Toastmasters Club, wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our fellow Distinguished Toastmaster Dr. Violet Cuffy DTM. Dr. Cuffy has supported many Toastmasters International clubs including Bradford Speaks when we needed support in running our first contest. Her support and feedback was greatly appreciated. She was also well known for her work in the Toastmasters/Rotary Alliance. She will be missed by many toastmasters all over the world.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and all who mourn the loss of Dr. Violet Cuffy DTM.
Janice George-Pinard
President, Bradford Speaks Toastmasters
May Dr Cuffy’s soul rest in eternal power. Our condolences to the family and fellow Dominicans on their loss of a fine public scholar and servant to Dominican culture.
Dr Philogene Heron & family
Our condolences are with the family and friends of our cousin Dr Violet Vyline Cuffy who went to be with her Savior this morning.
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, Rest In God’s Eternal Peace, amen.
When people think of the dismal condition their country (Dominica) is in and the love they once had for Dominica before labor Party deykalay it. They just give up hope and die. Just think of the amount of Dominicans who have died since this labor party came in! I am talking about Dominicans at home and abroad…The numbers are staggering, to say the list. It would appear as though the entire population of Dominica was sold by a handful of evil men in order to control the masses. It may sound impossible but just look at how the people of Dominica are acting Tehbeh.. There seems to be no moral fiber in the young, old or in between. Every body is moo moo and dying out in numbers Dominica has not experienced since the Carib people left Roseau for the reserves. No one is asking why healthy people among us are dropping dead like flies. This is not normal. Dominica needs a spiritual Revival and a new government.
I worked with Dr Cuffy as one of the young Dominicans in the UK creating and promoting Ms Wòb for a few years. Her tenacity and love of Dominica made me very proud and it was an absolute privilege to work alongside her.
I am stunned at her passing but I hope that she is resting well. I was honoured to help her continue the legacy of our wonderful culture as well as revive certain aspects of Creole culture in the United Kingdom.
She was a fine example of how to represent your culture wherever you go in the world and I will always treasure the memories that we had together.
Mèsi Violet ❤️
When last have you visited Dominica? What is Dominica culture worth in England and here at home, when our capital (Roseau) reeks like hell, broken sidewalks upon which vendors block the pathway of pedestrians, a place called Dominica where a dictator refuses to play by the rules and let every vote count except those of dead people, a dictator who has more wealth than the Queen of England on a meager PM salary, a Dominica culture where people are unemployed and are force to support the dictator because because because he gives them handouts at the red clinic and elsewhere, build cabins for them for the sole purpose of sealing their votes for him. So Dominica has no culture but a corrupt one.
@despicable jey jey, if you took some time to read the article properly, you would have seen that the late dr Cuffy was found dead at her home in England/UK, not in Dominica. You should show more respect for the dead and living loved ones who are mourning their passing. There is a name for people like you which I won’t mention on this platform for fear of censorship by DNO, but I will leave it for you to reflect on. Have a happy New Year.
This was stunning and very heart rending to read. I recall commending her about the conference on creole culture she held this year. My prayers for and sympathies to the Cuffy family on this double tragedy. My the good Shepherd comfort and strengthen you all at such a time like this.
On behalf of International orators toastmasters club and rotaractors of the nineties i express my shock and grief at the loss of a close friend and a talented and vibrant personality.
I was Violet’s PHD supervisor at the University of Surrey. She was a talented student who developed into a fine academic. Above all she was a most lovely person. My condolences to her family and friends. Professor John Tribe
It is with deep sadness that we receive and convey news of the passing of Dr. Violet Vyline Cuffy, Chair of Waitikubuli Tourism & Culture Association, Board member of DominicaFirst (DNDDF) and organiser of the U.K Miss Wob Dwiyet and Petit Matador pageants. Violet was also a regular at the Notting Hill Carnival and this month received an award from the Governmnt of Dominica for her services to Culture. We pray for the soul of Violet and her sister Joyce Peters(d), and offer sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues.
Vincent M John, Chairman
The Dominica U.K Association;
DUKA Mas Domnik U.K. Carnival Band;
DominicaFirst (Dominica National Development & Disaster Fund)🕊
Dear John Tribe Ph.D. thank you for your contribution to Dr, Vyline Violet career. You did an excellent job, please be assured that all will be done to keep her legacy a live.
Dear Fr. Franklyn. Thank you. I am still in shock at hearing this sad news. It was a great pleasure to work with Violet on her PhD at the University of Surrey and witness the blossoming of her academic career. She was also a passionate ambassador for Dominica. She is greatly missed. Please do pass on my sincere condolences to your family.
My deepest condolences go out to the Cuffy family on the transition of their loved ones. Grieving itself is a difficult process but is even more burdensome when losing two family members in close succession. Alas, we must yield to the Most High’s will in this and all matters of life and death!!!🙏🏾
We still playing blind? RIP
You are the one who blinded yourself. Now because you cant see you are assuming that everyone around you are the same. Please open your eyes.
Frank n Stien, you have no point here.
People are dying at alarming rates since the vaxx programmed started – and there is no outrage, no acknowledgement from government/medical authorities, no public outcry – just silence as if we cannot see whats happening, hence my ‘playing blind’ metaphor!
When Cvid started in march 2020, we did not see so many deaths, only since the vaxx program started.
An unprecedented number of People who are vaccinated are dying! This is a fact you cannot dispute as the evidence is right here for all of us to see!
You just here talking a bunch of rubbish. and dapway you it makign sense
.You should have stuck with your first short comment and not prove to us what a fool you are. Its better to be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Waiting For Airport, didn’t anyone inform you that the short bus you have been riding since childhood does not stop at the airport. I will give you the benefit of the doubt by speculating that you landed in the wrong comment section. By the way, please let us know when your plane takes off.
Correct comment section… yet another vaccinated Dominican has just died… only a short time period after her vaccinated sister died… all while multiple other vaccinated Dominicans are dying on a regular basis… the vaxx is killing people and our people are too politically obedient and politically correct to acknowledge it!
And I’ve been waiting for the plane to take of since the day after the 2014 election. I will keep you updated on the progress. last I heard there were a few publicity stunts in the Wesley area, a few contract signings that have been done multiple times, a Miami to Marigot distraction tactic, but no actual measurable progress.
Energetic, creative and intelligent. She was passionate about Dominica’s culture and heritage. Her passing at so young an age is truly a great loss. Gone too soon!
Albert and Tempie Williams extend our deepest condolences to the Cuffy family.
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE
This is indeed shocker. May her soul rest in peace and her family and friends be consoled.