Five Caymanians honoured

Five Caymanians have received the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour.  

Governor Duncan Taylor named them during a ceremony on Saturday celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s 85th birthday. Marjorie Jane Bodden was honoured for services to the Air Ambulance Service, while twins Maxine Ethel and Maureen Helen Bodden were recognised for services to the people of the Cayman Islands, especially the poor and needy. 

Lendell Albert Layman was honoured for services to the Cayman Islands community, while Philip David Glanmor Thomas was recognised for services to the electricity industry in the Cayman Islands. 

Marjorie Jane Bodden   

Growing up in Savannah in the 1940s and ‘50s, Mrs. Bodden never envisaged that one day she would touch hundreds of lives across the globe. Awarded the Certificate and Badge of Honour for service to the community through her air ambulance service, Mrs. Bodden acknowledged that she never wanted to go into the ‘air business.’ 

However, looking back after nearly four decades, she gave the nod to an insistent neighbour for convincing her and her husband Edward in 1978 to become the founding partners of Executive Air Services.  

One of the first of its kind, the air service business expanded to include search and rescue, photography and international charters.  

But even as the Boddens experienced professional success, life was seldom easy. The couple endured immense personal tragedy, losing three of her four children. 

Asked how she managed to overcome such tragedies, she said, “I simply had to live up to the expectations of my children. They always looked to me as being strong – and because of that, I found the strength to survive.” Her work also brings her inspiration and strength: “No matter how down I am, the moment a call comes in and I start working, I am driven to continue, through the night if necessary. I am blessed in what I do; it reminds me daily that others endure hardship as well.” 

A woman of enduring faith, Mrs. Bodden exhibits a deep love for her fellow man, reflected every time she puts a patient on a flight. “I pray for each one. My job is indeed a blessing.” 

Maxine Ethel Bodden  

Maureen Helen Bodden  

For Maxine Ethel and Maureen Helen, giving has always been ‘twice joyful.’  

The sisters provide substantial help to countless people through the Walkers Road Church of God Chapel; through their alma mater, Triple C School; and in their businesses. Scores more benefit on an individual basis. 

The 65-year-olds were awarded the Certificate and Badge of Honour for their services to the people of the Cayman Islands, “especially the poor and needy.”  

“We are humbled,” the sisters said. “We view what we do as God’s work, done in the sheer joy of knowing we can make a difference in people’s lives.” 

They are also known for converting their South Church Street home and yard into a Christmas wonderland every year, drawing numerous visitors. 

The Bodden sisters find time every day to welcome into their home one or two special children who are in need of after-school care.  

Active in church at many levels, the twins’ pet projects include the children’s choir and decorating the church sanctuary for Christmas.  

Both Ms Maxine and Ms Maureen say they are blessed for having been able to serve Cayman’s most needy residents. 

Lendell Albert Layman  

When Mr. Layman moved to the Cayman Islands in 1991, he says he wasn’t very community-minded, but his association with the Cayman Brac Rotary Club and later Rotary Central soon altered that. 

In 1999 he was asked to represent Rotary Central on the local steering committee for the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action. His focus was the Domestic Violence and Intervention Training Programme for law enforcement professionals.  

Soon after the training programme ended, Mr. Layman became a member of the National Committee Against Domestic Abuse, which actively campaigned for a community-wide domestic violence training initiative. It was soon evident that Cayman lacked a safe shelter for abuse victims, and in 2003 the committee’s efforts led to the founding of the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.  

But neither his involvement nor his endeavours ended there. In 2008, the tragic loss of committee member Estella Scott-Roberts prompted a visit with Cabinet to make recommendations for policy that would target domestic violence. As one of the few male voices locally advocating for abuse victims, he was soon appointed chair of a special advisory committee on gender violence.  

In September 2010, the Protection from Domestic Violence Bill passed into law without opposition. 

Asked why he did it all, he said, “The reward is the impact this work has had on the lives of victims. 

“It’s sad, but if men were not involved in the struggle against domestic violence, then other men would probably not listen.”  

Today he continues to advocate for victims, noting that though Cayman has made great strides in the struggle against domestic violence compared to more developed countries, there remains a tremendous legislative and awareness gap. 

Mr. Layman also serves the community through his long-term involvement with Rotary.  

Philip David Glanmor Thomas  

National recognition for Mr. Thomas stems from his dedication to keeping the Islands energised and for helping develop and regulate the local electrical utility industry. 

Trained in the UK as an accountant, Mr. Thomas travelled to Cayman in 1978 with his wife Susan and their children, Alison and Neal.  

He was drawn into the electrical industry sector while serving as Caribbean Utilities Company’s first financial controller. Promotion to financial director followed and, in 1985, he was appointed managing director.  

Mr. Thomas said a highlight of his early years was refinancing CUC with lower-cost loans during Cayman’s boom years. “That permitted the purchase of new generators and the expansion of the transmission and distribution grid during a period of incredible expansion in demand for electricity,” he said. 

In 2002 Mr. Thomas became one of government’s first chief financial officers. Government ultimately enlisted him to establish the Electricity Regulatory Authority, which regulates Cayman’s two electricity providers, CUC and Cayman Brac Power & Light.  

Another career high point was his work with a committee to draft the Electricity Regulatory Authority Law, which regulates the operations of electricity industry licensees.  

As managing director of the ERA, he said since the Authority caters to a progressive industry, one of its focuses is the promotion of renewable energy.  

Off the job, his community service continues with his 30 year associaton with Rotary. He is also a long-standing member of the Cayman Drama Society.