Sep 18, 2025
Dear Editor,
It is written that “Death is not only the shadow of Life but a part of it.” As I muse over the wisdom of such a golden thought it sparkles like a prized jewel in my mind for tomorrow is promised to no one and ‘mortals cannot be equated with the gods ‘as affirmed by the Greek philosopher and stoic Aristotle. It is against this backdrop that I write to express my sincere condolences to the spouse, family, siblings and relatives of our beloved Elisabeth Harper, Ambassador and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Guyana, who passed away a few days ago. My heart and prayers are with them as we mourn individually and collectively over such a devastating and irreparable loss.
I first met Ambassador Harper in 1984 when I joined the staff of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Our first encounter was a most pleasant one and I was very fascinated by her pleasant demeanour and magnetic personality. At that time, she was officially designated as Foreign Officer 11. Her meteoric rise to the status of Ambassador and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, respectively, was not fortuitous; rather it was due to her charisma and dedication to duty which she had performed with diligence and fidelity during her brief lifespan in this temporal world.
Moreover, she was a ‘Shining Star’ in the diplomatic firmament with her scintillating academic credentials and her magnificent performance on both the local and international stage where she represented Guyana with brilliance, finesse and aplomb that won the hearts of many and endeared her to them.
She was also the epitome of comity, humility and kindness and treated everyone who knew her with great respect and dignity. Furthermore, someone once said that “The World is a Garden; our Friendship are its Flowers.” Ambassador Harper was, undisputedly our favourite Rose.
As time goes by in this transitory journey of life, we shall miss her sweet smile and warm friendship and our cherished memories of her shall be immortalised in the velvet chambers of our hearts for “to live in the hearts of those we have left behind is not to die.”
So, farewell our Beloved Ambassador, goodbye our Beautiful Rose, adieu our Queen of Hearts.
May the Angels in Heaven whisk your sweet soul to the bosom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ until that Glorious Morning of the Resurrection where we shall meet again at His feet.
Andrew Zamal
Canada
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