Mrs. Petty pictured above with Ms. Laura Che, Caye Caulker Village Councillor

Caye Caulker bids farewell to a legend in the community: Mrs. Petrona Joseph nee Palacio – RIP

It is with a great and heavy heart that I announce the passing away of a well-loved and well-favored legend on Caye Caulker, Mrs. Petrona Joseph nee Palacio, Mother, Wife, Grand-mother, Aunt, Cousin and Great Friend on this early morning of Wednesday, January 4, 2012. “Mrs. Petty” as she was affectionately known by all on Caye Caulker, was an active community member in initiatives being headlined by BTIA as well as a very active member of the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Roman Catholic Church, being a very active Lay Minister along with Mrs. Claudia and Mr. Eduardo Reyes, Ms. Ofelia Alamina, Mrs. Lola Perez and Mrs. Elida Reyes.

Mrs. Petty was the recent recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award given to her by the Caye Caulker Village Council during the Independence Eve celebrations on September 20, 2011 at the Central Park’s basketball court.

Mrs. Petty was a jack of all trades, from producing coconut oil to making delicious creole bread and bun to providing for her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren, as well as instilling proper morals and values. She was there for all who needed a word of advice to just needing a friend to speak to and she always stood ready to listen. Mrs. Petty and Mr. Ambrose Joseph moved to Caye Caulker more than thirty-five years ago from Barranco Village in the Stann Creek District and has since called Caye Caulker their home todate. She was the Mother of 11 children and grandmother to 37 grandchildren along with countless great grand-children who loved her and looked-up to her. “Ma”, as she was fondly remembered is now gone but will NEVER be forgotten. It will be strange now attending Sunday Mass in the mornings and not seeing our Beloved Mrs. Petty around and hearing her lead us all in hymns of praise.

This article serves as a tribute for a woman who strived for her family’s well-being as well as being an active community member, making a difference in the lives of many who came to know her and spend that quality time with her.

On behalf of the Caye Caulker Chronicles, I extend my sincerest and heartfelt condolences to both the Joseph and Palacio families, Mrs. Petty will always be our shining star in the sky and our angel looking over us all.

Caye Caulker Chronicles