- MARLENE MCPHERSON PHOTO
An elaborate 'house' built in the Red Hills Cemetery in St. Thomas for a woman who died before she could live in the home she was building.
Marlene McPherson, Outlook Writer
THE BUILDING boasts columns, expensive roofing and even a patio. But it isn't any ordinary building. It's located in a community that's not ordinary either and there is nothing ordinary about the neighbours. They are as dead as a door post.
This is the Red Hills Cemetery in St. Thomas. A recent visit there revealed that just having a sepulchre 'to put away the deceased', is not sufficient. Read on and see what we mean.
Patricia Chin was buried there in the '70s and her first daughter, Lorriane Burgher and the rest of the family felt it wise to honour her with a house.
"She was building her home in Pamphret, but she did not live to inhabit it. We thought it wise to give her a home so that she'll be happy and we are happy. Every year on the dates of the anniversaries of her birth and death, it is painted in the colours of the family house. We even change the flowers," said Lorriane. She adds with a hearty laugh, "I have a problem, however, she won't dream me so that I can win any money, and she was a gambler."
But this is just one of the 'houses' and other interesting structures in the Red Hills Cemetery. However, some persons who have noticed them are not necessarily happy with what they see as being wasteful.
"This is a nice-size room for a poor family." "This is a waste of money," are just two of the many comments made as people pass the 'house' that is constructed over the sepulchre.
TRIBUTE
There's one being built for the late pharmacy owner Lloyd Fernandez Young. One of his sons, Raymond Young, recalled: "He said he did not want anyone to walk on his grave. It was the consensus of the 15 adult children to give him this tribute so they bought three lots to have a complete house. In about two months it should be completed with all areas tiled and windows and grills installed. Inside will be his favourite photographs of his dogs and his Benz. On the veranda, a lounge chair will be there so that anyone who comes may have a seat. Or if my father wants he may have a seat and look outside. His house must be different because daddy was special. This is to demonstrate our love and appreciation."
Another grave that attracts a lot of attention is one that is made in the shape of a car. According to one of the workers at the cemetery, the deceased young man loved cars and was a taxi operator.
