The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Senator Mizpah Tertullien was laid to rest following a state-recognised funeral at St Francis Cathedral, West Street, Nassau, on Friday morning.

The 85-year-old Ragged Island descendent and noted psychologist had been described as a Bahamian dedicated to the improvements and betterment of the Bahamas above all.

Mrs Tertullien served 10 years as a Senator following her defeat as a candidate for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the Shirlea constituency in the 1972 election, when she lost to Sir Roland Symonette, former Premier of The Bahamas.

Mrs Tertuillen was a member of one of the most renowned classes to graduate from the Government High School. In the 1940s she attended the prestigious school with former Governor General, Sir Orville Turnquest, and the country's first Prime Minister, Sir Lynden Pindling.

In a tribute to Mrs Tertullien, Prime Minister Perry Christie claimed the former senator "contributed significantly to the development of the modern Bahamas in a variety of spheres", highlighting her time as a political activist, a political aspirant, an attorney, psychologist, newspaper columnist and radio personality.

Mr Christie said that Mrs Tertullien throughout her public life "demonstrated her patriotic devotion to her beloved Bahamas" by constantly dedicating herself to the improvement of those around her.

"Mizpah always brought a great deal of intelligence and passion to whatever it was she set her mind to. Nowhere was this more evident than in the political arena," said Mr Christie. "She was a great believer in The Bahamas and its future.

Parliamentary pallbearers at yesterday's service included Transport and Aviation Minister, Glenys Hanna Martin; Social Services and Community Development Minister, Melanie Griffin; Financial Services Minister, Hope Strachan; Attorney General, Allyson Maynard and Free National Movement lead-Senator, Carl Bethel.

The body of Mrs Tertullien had been lying-in-state in the foyer of the Senate on Thursday until being transferred to the church for yesterday's funeral service.