Passing of Prof Hazel Simmons-McDonald (1947-2025)

With great sadness I heard of the passing of Prof Hazel Simmons-McDonald last Sunday. I was getting ready to go to the beach when I read Alison's email announcing this dramatic event. Last time we saw her was at Easter Vigil at St Francis of Assisi Church. She explained that she had health issues with her throat. The medical doctors were not seeing anything wrong whereas she was suffering tremendously and losing weight. Marie and I were shocked, but we could not imagine that it was the last time we saw her. I remember standing beside her during the light's Vigil procession. I remember even sharing with her the light of Christ during that procession. May her soul rest in peace!

When we came down to Barbados in August 2001, Hazel was Deputy-Dean Planning of the Faculty of Humanities and Education. We met her personally at Prof Alan Cobley's home. It was also the first time we spoke to her. She spoke patois: muen paka parlé kweyol. Beside Marie Clavère and me, Alan and Pauline had invited Hazel and her husband Patrick, Rob Leyshon and a lady whose name I don't remember. This was back in September 2001 shortly before the first faculty board I ever attended. From there we had and kept good contacts. The McDonalds invited us to celebrate Christmas 2001, 2002 at their Castle in St John. It is how Clavère and I happened to know their family and their three lovely children: Patrick,  Christian, and Kathleen, who was still a teenager at that time. Hazel used to say to us: "Christmas is a family celebration. We are your family. Please come to celebrate with us instead of staying alone in your corner." 

After Alan Cobley's tenure in 2004 ended, Hazel became Dean of FHE. As I have already written in this blog, the renowned St Lucian poet and scholar was among those who encouraged me to work hard and be promoted. She told my wife: "Marie, Claver has a brilliant future. As I see from his CV, he can easily become a professor." Some days later, Hazel called me to her office, and asked me why I never applied for Senior Lecturer. I did not know the procedure and even thought of it. She then gave the form and all the information needed to submit the file. The Head of LLL Department apparently did not appreciate that move, and never did whatever to fulfill the process. It took me two years to submit my file for senior lecture. The day I was promoted to professor, I called her and especially expressed my gratitude to her. Thank you Hazel for believing in me.

Hazel was a very social person. She used to invite the whole FHE to her family property for Christmas Luncheons. Food, drink, dance, fun, were usual parts of those parties. I remember that some colleagues used to find her authoritarian. I understand that she was an iron lady, a strong leader. I remember when I was coordinator of Modern Languages section, she asked me to handle matters professionally. I was faulty regarding the way. When she later became Pro-Vice Chancellor Principal of the Open Campus, her relationship to us never changed. She would greet me anytime we met, regardless of any inconveniences. While conducting research at St Patrick's School, Auntie Hazel used to pay special attention to Madeleine Chrystelle and Claver. Thank you Hazel for all you did for our family.

Deepest heartfelt condolences to her family, dear ones and the wide UWI community for the loss of this outstanding writer, linguist, professor, university administrator and scholar. What a legacy to the Caribbean region! 

Adieu Prof Hazel Simmons-McDonald. May your soul rest in the eternal peace of God.