Eunice Eursalina Bodden (1914 - 2005) dies at home

Eunice Eursalina Bodden

By Norman Bodden

Tuesday,  August 23, 2005

The eldest of four children Eunice Eursalina Bodden was born to Eunice Matilda and Levi Bodden on 1 April 1914 and she passed away on Sunday, 7 August 2005 at her home on North Church Street, where she was born and raised. One sister, Marrie Bodden and her brother Willard Bodden preceded her in death.

Although handicapped from birth she never allowed this to deter nor discourage her from leading a useful and productive life. She was fiercely independent, determined and hard working.

In her early years she was employed as a domestic in the homes of nearby neighbours and later on she was able to help herself and her only child financially by doing laundry at home; washing clothes on a washboard, sometimes for the whole day and then starching and ironing white shirts with solid irons which were heated by firewood on an open fire.

She was often complemented that never a spot was found on the shirts she laundered.

It can rightly be said that she was a good, loving and caring mother to her son, and he and his wife, Virginia, their three children and nine grand-children all equally loved and respected her and ensured that her every need was met, thus making her life comfortable, contented and complete until the very end.

Eursie, as she was affectionately known by her family and friends was also a dutiful daughter to her parents; helping her sisters to care for their elderly parents until their passing.

After many years of fading eyesight she eventually became totally blind and was then heavily dependent on her sister Marrie, who lived in the same house with her.

Marrie became her eyes, kept her in touch with what was going on and helped to care for her until she (Marrie) passed away on 7 January1995.

Whenever she was able Marrie would bring her to Church at the Chapel Church of God and Pastor Alson would visit them at home after they were no longer able to attend.

In 1987 Lucille Archibald, known to all of us as Betty, was employed to live in the home in order to care for both Marrie and Eursie and for the past eighteen years she has provided loving care and undivided attention. Betty is in turn loved and considered to be part of the family.

Also Janneth Fisher has more recently been employed to assist in the home at night and the family would like to sincerely thank both of these helpers for their dedication and all that they have done to help in our time of need. It is greatly appreciated.

When I reflect on my mother’s life, my mind naturally travels back in time to my childhood, to a Cayman that did not have the materialism and modernism of which we boast today, but a community that was distinctly different in numerous ways.

I remember a strong, slender woman in her twenties who, I suppose like most mothers, never seemed to think that there was anyone quite as smart as her son. A woman whose face was often burnt by the sun and whose hands were marked by the type of work that she did for a living. I think of the poverty she endured and the hardships of a primitive life style that she was obliged to live, like many others of her time. I recall the challenges she faced, the struggles she experienced and the sacrifices that she made so that I could have, while she often did without. That was my mother!

Like all good mothers she was ambitious for me; encouraged me to attend school and Sunday School and dreamed dreams of one day my growing up to hold a good job, build my home, own a car (a luxury in those days) and have a family of my own - These were her goals she set for me, and of which never failed to remind me. She saved her shillings and pence to purchase material so that I could have at least enough clothes to attend public school every day, and a special suit was always reserved for Sunday School, so that I often received the best attendance record.

But of all the things my mother did for me, the most important lesson of life that she taught me is that she showed me by example, that you can succeed against all odds, through honesty and hard work; something that I have never forgotten and which I have been able to pass on to my children and grandchildren.

No – You would never find her name mentioned in the local newspaper nor she might never have won the “Mother of The Year Award” but she will always remain on the pedestal of pride, love and respect on which I have placed her and will always keep her.

My loss is great today, but I am supported by many loyal friends and a faithful family who have stood by me every step of the way and made my load so much lighter: - a devoted wife, good children and nine wonderful grandchildren. I thank God that He blessed my mother with such a long life and enabled us to take good care of her. I pray that we will meet again one day when we will be able to actually see each other in a place where blindness and all other physical handicaps will be erased.

In conclusion I quote a few suitable lines from the poet who said:

“She was different, she was special, Unique in a thousand ways,  She was loving, she was giving And we’ll miss her all our days.” Your loving son.

Eursie will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved her best and leaves to mourn her passing.

Her son Norman Bodden and his wife Virginia;

Three Grandchildren: Sherri Bodden-Cowan, Patrick Bodden and Karen Hydes and their families; Wayne Cowan, Sheena Bodden and Ray Hydes, nine great grandchildren: Alexander, Thomas, Gemma, Michael, Christina, Jason, Krystal, Tiffany and Jasmine. One sister, Ena Bodden, who is left in the home, two of her favorite nephews, George Manderson and Mikie Bodden, other nephews and nieces, first cousins, other relatives and friends, with special mention being made of close friends, who often visited: Mervyn and Willilee Parsons, June and Brenda, Marston and Faye Bodden.

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