Tribute to Evelina Elenora-Marquin Baptiste

I start this Tribute to our Dearest Sister Evelina or Evo as we called her with this poem:

The Broken Chain

We little knew that day
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly.
In death, we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you.
The day God called you home
You left us beautiful memories.
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side.
Our chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one.
The chain will link again.

I first met Evelina in May of 2000, almost 25 years ago at a training programme hosted by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court for CPR, held in Trinidad at the Hall of Justice. It was a Sunday afternoon and I felt so alone in a sea of strange faces. I was starting my daunting journey as a Case Management Master. As I nervously shifted from foot to foot, two kind ladies made their way to me, Everdeen Brathwaite and Evelina. They introduced themselves and the next word from Evo (in what became known to me, as her usual lilt) was “Welcome”. They would not know what that meant to me. That simple word, that sincere and effortless greeting put me at ease. She always knew what to say when and give you that sweet, warm smile. That was our Evo, genuine, with a heart of gold as they say. My now deceased sister Pam and I, breathed a collective sigh of relief. At least I made a friend. And so it was!

After I joined the court, hers was one of the first telephone numbers that I would arm myself with. We kept in touch as we used each other as sounding boards as to the effective processes and procedures to implement the New Rules. Given her scientific background, her first career that of a Diagnostic Radiographer what is now known as process mapping
was second nature to her.

It was however in the BVI over that two-week period that our bond was cemented. We worked and worked and worked on process flows that provided the ground work for the JEMS Customization, the forerunner for your IT processes for the CPR. We had so much fun doing so. Evo was part of that pioneering Team. She was innovative; she was adventurous, nothing stopped that mind from working out solutions to issues that others thought were insurmountable!

Thereafter, Evo implemented the grand plans for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of her Registry. She whipped everyone into shape; and the thing is, you did not feel as if you were whipped. It all seemed so sensible, logical but pleasant and above all user friendly.

Evo was the quintessential Officer in Charge – dependable, honest, kind and compassionate, empathetic, motherly, sisterly, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to speak to but firm and no nonsense and many of you will support me on that!

When I served in Dominica, and I must add that because of Evo, it became one of my treasured jurisdictions, Evo ensured that I had a comfortable, happy, safe yet productive time. She chose my Team with insight – Everdeen, Eva, Leroy and Eddie Bellot. My files were in order at all sittings, orders done up and executed … and for any judicial officer, you know what a boon that is! We worked hard and there is no pretense in my saying that this Registry ranked as one of the best run Registries/Court Offices in the region! … but come time to relax and have fun, we did that too!

She enlisted Ms Francine Baron’s assistance which ensured a clever mix of work and what is so popular now, judicial well-being! We went on many a hike to famous waterfalls in Dominica. She fostered good and workable relations between Bench and Bar, some will remember the Late Mr Michael Bruney, known as Mikey, who was the President of the Bar at that time.

No wonder Evo was preferred to act for our Chief Registrar at the time, now retired Justice Iynathea Leigertwood (fondly known as GiGi) for a period. She had a way with people and knew how to bring them together and I would add, for the common good!

When Evo came to St Lucia to work for those months, we drew even closer. Justice Indra Harriprashad-Charles, GiGi, Evo and I plus our Doyenne, the late Justice Suzie D’Auvergne formed the female complement of the Bench.

On a personal note, my own brothers and sister and my niece Jamila adopted her as theirs! I think that they recognized a kindred science mind, unlike they said my own! My late Brother often expressed how much he liked Evo. “She is a good and loyal friend to you”, he often told me. As long as you have Evelina, you will be OK. That was so true. I remember one occasion that I had to travel home to Trinidad because I was unwell. Evo made the journey with me. But that is not all… David Rudder was in concert on the Saturday… of course we went, made our way to the front by the stage and danced up a storm. On our return, the one judge told me, “I saw Evo and you on TV”. Oh boy! But say what, we had a ball.

Evo was always ready to keep my company on our escapades, our travels, hikes, drives, buying white pudding and bread, checking out the market, cruising through Astaphan’s on a Saturday morning, cooking up a storm, spending time with Ma Judith and the family, Reniste, Shalana and the love of her life, Nawana … you name it, we did it!

When I was elevated to the higher Bench, in 2002, Evo presided over my swearing-in Ceremony. That was a treasured day for me! My time was grueling and exhausting as I had to sit as a Civil Judge in St Lucia and St Kitts, while performing my usual Case Management Master’s duties in Grenada, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. She made the journey to St Kitts, to ensure that I was OK, although I shared her attention with her brother Dave, who was the resident judge in The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. Eventually, I was settled as the first female resident Judge
in Grenada. Evo journeyed to Grenada to see that all was well with me!! After 12 months, I again attracted duties as the Civil Judge in Dominica. By this time, Evo was sitting as a Magistrate and we would regale each other of the day’s happenings!

In time her talent was rewarded and Evo moved on from the Court Office/Registry, where, as others will attest her sterling and excellent contributions to Dominica’s administration of justice continued unabated and I daresay, unmatched to date. She acted as Director of Public Prosecutions for a short while. She was confirmed as a Magistrate and that soon gave way to her preferment as Chief Magistrate. She spent in excess of ten years in the Magistracy before becoming the first female Director of Public Prosecutions in Dominica, from which position she “officially” retired.

I say “officially” since Evo never gave up contribution to legal and judicial life and public service. She was engaged in law reform, Rules advancement and continued to judge her Queen Shows and Calypso Finals! She willingly and unreservedly gave her life to you Dominica!

I must make mention of Evelina’s contribution to the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers. She was a presenter and discussant at the first ever Magistrates’ Forum as part of our regional meetings in Jamaica. We all benefitted from her presentation and insight!

My last time with Evo was 2023 into 2024. We had such a great week together. Again, she charmed my Partner Phillip, with whom she shared a love of nature and plants, who told me “I like Evelina. She is good people.”

That is the chorus of all who got to know Evo, even fleetingly. My own staff in Trinidad and Tobago, who when I told the news were all saddened by this loss. I am so happy and grateful that we had that time together, in fact that she was a companion of life’s journey with me.

As I started, I shall end by this poem, which I think fittingly sums up a life of service, a life lived in love, love of her daughter Nawana, love of her Family, her sister and brothers, nieces and nephews, Friends and love of her country The Commonwealth of Dominica.

When Great Trees Fall

By Maya Angelou

When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to

them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
caves.

And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.

You existed EVO in the flesh and you will continue to Exist in our Hearts and minds. Yours are shoulders that we all stand upon. Thank you!!!

Farewell my Sister, The Angels will welcome you into Paradise … go wow them with that chuckle and infectious smile that reached your eyes…

Til we meet again…
Sleep in sweet peace!!!