National Hero Sybil McLaughlin shares a joke with former minister Roy Bodden and Hon McKeeva Bush, Leader of the Opposition.

A special birthday party for National Hero Sybil McLaughlin, was held at the Sir Vassel Johnson Hall at the UCCI in George Town on Saturday 23 August. There were many guests, long-time friends and well-wishers at the birthday party, who had come not just to wish Ms McLaughlin a happy birthday, but to join together in celebrating the life of one of Cayman’s true heroes.

As Ms McLaughlin mingled with the guests, faces lit up in recognition of a lady who has touched the lives of so many.

Many different people were present, from the worlds of politics, education, sport and the arts, demonstrating the wide range of interests Ms McLaughlin has maintained across a broad spectrum of Cayman life.

During the informal proceedings, and in between traditional Cayman music played by the North Side Kitchen Band, various people took the opportunity of taking the microphone in order to wish a happy birthday, and to share some memories of Ms McLaughlin.

The first to do so was Leader of the Opposition, McKeeva Bush, who said:

“I have known or heard of Miss Sybil all of my adult life and I always thought of her as a great lady.”

Mr Bush went on to say that he first got to know Ms McLaughlin during a Christian Endeavour meeting held by the South Sound United Church, and how she encouraged many of the young people of Cayman to serve Christ, and their community.

“I visited the Public Gallery of the Legislature to see her at work as the Clerk I; was always interested in politics and I visited the gallery often,” he continued.

“She was always a brave woman who spoke her mind according to how she felt….she was so knowledgeable about the affairs of the state….

“Miss Sybil had a vast experience of being Clerk. I believe she knows more about procedure and conventions of government than anybody else in the Cayman Islands and possibly the region,” he added.

“Then I became Minister of Community Development and Culture….I felt we should have a living national hero.”

“I believe this country appreciates the way we made Miss Sybil our living national hero…

“She loves us, she loves these Islands, and we love her,” he stated. “I can extend to Miss Sybil a very happy birthday from all of us in the Legislature.”

MLA for George Town, Lucille Seymour, also spoke fondly of her memories and her respect for Ms McLaughlin, and remembered her as a sportswoman amongst other things.

“Miss Sybil, on behalf of my colleagues, thank you for guiding us the way you have,” Ms Seymour said.

Ms McLaughlin said: “It’s good getting together with all these people I haven’t seen for ages.”