The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana expresses deep condolences to Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Bharrat Jagdeo, his relatives and the People’s Progressive Party on the sad passing of his beloved sister Oma ‘Shanta’ Jagdeo.
The government, in a statement today, said it “salutes Ms. Jagdeo for her unflagging love for her brother to whom she was not only an older sibling but to whom she was also like a second mother.”
It said the loss of a sibling, particularly, a sibling to whom one is particularly close as Mr. Jagdeo was to Ms. Jagdeo, leaves a void which can hardly be filled. “The nation stands in solidarity with and holds Mr. Jagdeo up in prayer, in this, his time of grief,” the Government said in its statement issued via GINA.
The sister of former President Jagdeo was found dead on Sunday at the Pradoville Two home at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD), where she resided.
Ms. Jagdeo, 57, who was described by her brother as a “second mother”, was said to have been found non-responsive on Sunday morning.
The former President was reportedly leading the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Local Government Elections (LGE) campaign in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) when he received the sad news.
Rallies in Wakenaam and Leguan at which he was scheduled to be present were cut short due to her passing.
Ms. Jagdeo had lived at a house in the same compound with her brother’s house in Pradoville. According to reports, the siblings had shared a closely knitted relationship, and she had even lived at State House with him while he served as President. She had not been married.
He wrote on his Facebook page yesterday: “It’s with deep sadness I announce the death of my sister Shanta (Ooma). She was the epitome of a sister, she was a mother, my confidant and friend. She took care of me all my life, and I will miss her dearly.”
Very sad and I know this must have been a terrible shock for President Jagdeo.My prayers are with him, at this very sad time.
May the grace of God give the family strength in this time of mourning, knowing the she is onto a higher calling and will always be looking over those she left behind.
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there – I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in rain,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle evening rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush
I am the swift-up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there – I did not die.”
My condolences to you and your family.