Miss Annie Huldah Bodden, 1908-1989
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from June 1989.
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Annie Huldah Bodden was the older of two daughters born to Arthur Robert Bodden and Mary Catherine on April 21st 1908. In her early years she attended Mrs. O'Sullivans private school and then later moved on to the George Town Government School. At the age of 15 she completed her formal education by passing what was then known as the Jamaica Local Examination in the third year.
Before she was sixteen she began her first job, working with the late Edmund Parsons, he was a Law agent, Clerk of the Courts, and Justice of Peace and thus her first start which led to her interest in Law and Government of the Cayman Islands.
Mr. Parsons at the time had the only Law Library on the Island and Miss Annie began her career in law ably assisting Mr. Parsons in all his daily work. She had a photographic memory and often said "I know the Laws of the Cayman Islands like I know the Psalms."
The first chapter of Cayman's History in which Miss Annie played a part was when she became the first female secretary of the Cayman Islands Motor Boat Co. Cayman's main contact with the outside world. In 1947 this Company was sold and Miss Annie moved on to the appointment of Government Auditor - the first female to serve in this capacity, she served until 1956 when she was appointed Notary Public. In 1960 she qualified as the first female Attorney at Law serving the Chambers in land cases - civil and criminal cases in Grand Court, she would never accept divorce cases.
In 1961, she was appointed by the then Commissioner Mr. Jack Rose, as the First nominated female member of the Legislative Assembly. In 1965 she was elected as a member of the House by the people of Georgetown and served faithful-Cont'd. on page 9 Mr. Eliot Krever, age 58, died of a heart attack on 6 June 1989 in Grand Cayman. Mr. Krever was an avid dive enthusiast and a well-known person to many on the Island. He is survived by his wife, Lynn; sons, Howard, Rick, and Doug; and daughter, Elisha.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, should be presented to the decompression chamber in Mr. Krever's name.
Obituary
from page 6ly and willingly until 1984.
In 1981 she was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen with the order of office of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
She was a very patriotic and was quite thrilled that she shared the same birthday with the Queen. Miss Annie was honoured to address the Queen and make presentation on behalf of the people of the Cayman Islands.
As life went on Miss Annie continued her love for the country being in many ways a real mother to many children. Her hands went out to meet the needs of those around her.
Her church life was exemplary. During her life she served as a Sunday School teacher for many years, a firm believer in God and always in her place at worship time in God's House. She gave generously to this Church and many churches in these Islands. She was a very faithful member of the Womans Guild and was Secretary for many years, her prayers at meetings will long be remembered.
Miss Annie's life was not a bed of roses as her beloved sister and mother died early in life leaving her a very lonely life - so often she talked about missing them.
The last years of Miss Annies life were spent at the Pines Retirement Home, but her friends never forgot to visit her. She was very kindly cared for by Mrs. Wilson and her staff.
Left to mourn her passing are cousins:- Arthur Bodden and family, Truman Bodden and family, Dalkeith Bodden and family, Benson Bodden and family, Mrs. Mary Bodden and family, and Mrs. Cassy Paya and family, Vallee and Clericy Bodden and family, Brother Will T. Bodden and family, Mrs. Mary Cunningham and family, Saralee Gynell and family. Special friends: Barbara Cook Bodden who was Miss Annie's Secretary for many years, Robert and Arthur Whittaker who devoted many years of friendship to Miss Annie and was present with her when she died. Mr. Bert Myles of New York, Miss Icilda Henry who was Miss Annie's helper for 35 years. Mrs. Ena Watler, and Miss Una Bush, Ms Essie Nixon and Margaret Redwood.
We say like the words of an old hymn: She Will Always Be Remembered By What She Has Done.
