In addition to the two new Caymanians made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), local New Year’s Honours for 2011 also went to eight Cayman Islands residents.
Governor, His Excellency Mr. Duncan Taylor, CBE named Ms. Mary Elizabeth Blake, Mr. Hartmann Morgan DaCosta, JP, Ms. Reba Dilbert, Ms. Audrey Ebanks, Mr. Rodney Alan Hansen, Ms. Ellen Rose Sherman, Lt. (sg) Dave C Thompson and Ms. Zemrie Estella Thompson to receive the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour (Cert. Hon).
The MBE recipients were current Legislative Assembly Speaker Mrs. Mary Jannet Lawrence, JP and cat boat expert, Mr. William Kemuel Jackson.
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Blake
“I was born to be a nurse!” says Mary Elizabeth Blake, describing her dedication to nursing over the past 37 years.
Born in George Town to Martin and Madre-Mae Bodden, she is the oldest of seven children and aspired to be a nurse since she was just three years old. Having mapped out her future, she often practised on her siblings, ensuring their return to health after falls and injuries.
In an era when the Islands lacked medical facilities, homeopathic remedies were routinely used to treat ailments. Most people self-treated symptoms, ensuring that key herbs grew in their yards or were otherwise easily accessible.
But despite the need for trained healthcare professionals, Mrs. Blake notes that nursing “was not the attractive thing to do.” At the time, banking and tourism were the popular career choices, but she never faltered and comments now, “You didn’t enter nursing for the money.”
Since then she’s witnessed three renovations to the George Town Hospital and has worked in every section and department. She is currently the Sterile Processing Department Supervisor.
“I love, love, love what I do, and every day brings a new challenge,” she says. “If I had to do it all again I’d still be a nurse. I always remember that what I do is part of what our Lord Jesus Christ did while he was with us on earth.” And her affinity for caring and nurturing extends beyond the hospital, as many from her church and eastern district communities can attest.
Believing that her blessings are gifts to use to help others, she has assisted many needy, abused and discouraged individuals. Past roles as vacation bible school and Sabbath school teacher, and more recently as women’s ministry leader, have enabled her to spearhead initiatives that provided families with a source of comfort and hope during times of loss.
Initially surprised by her Certificate and Badge of Honour nomination for services to the civil service, church and community, she now reflects: “I never did any of this for recognition or reward, but my mother always said that we are being watched and that we should do everything to the glory and honour of God.”
Elated and humbled, she makes special mention of Mrs. Hyacinth Rose who trained her in her early career years and Ms. Bridgette Glasgow-Scott, a more recent source of inspiration. She also thanks her relatives, church family and the person or persons who nominated her.
