The death was announced on Friday, February 5, of Teacher Isa Louise Lake, of The Quarter, at the age of 95 years, who gave a substantial portion of her life to state, church and community.

She served as a Teacher from an early age and travelled from East End to West End on her bicycle on primitive roads, and through sunshine or rain, and was never a day late at the elementary schools. She was a strict disciplinarian, only desiring the best for her pupils. She earned the respect of all parents for her interest in their children.

The late Isa Lake

With the opening of the Valley Secondary School (now the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School), Teacher Isa studied Home Economics in Jamaica. Thereafter, she was appointed in charge of the Home Economics Department and remained in that post for many years after her retirement.

In community service, she will be remembered as a stalwart of Guiding and Scouting in Anguilla. She was associated with Girl Guiding on the island from its inception in 1932. When the late Clarita Mason, Guide Commissioner, died in 1949, Teacher Isa took over as Ranger Leader, but remained a member of the Guides Association until her passing.

As Guides, many generations of Anguillian women have passed through her hands; and the Guides and Scouts Movements were kept alive by her, and her family’s, interest in the development of young people. Her family went the extra mile to make the movements appealing. Such activities as First Aid procedures, cook outs, musical programmes, trails, picnics, concerts and even disciplinary measures, were all appealing to young people in those days and led to the growth of the movements.

In church work, Teacher Isa served in the Womens Auxiliary and Daughters of the King and was involved in conducting sewing and embroidery classes for girls. With the assistance of her two sisters, and Clarita Mason, she laid the foundation for many of today’s seamstresses. She served as a Sunday School teacher for many years and a member of St. Mary’s Choir. She and her sisters were also voluntary cleaners and decorators of the Church. She was also a well-known worker with the Church’s bazaar functions.
Teacher Isa was a foundation member of the Soroptimist Club International of Anguilla and gave of her time, experience and resources to the development of the organisation until her passing.

Although Teacher Isa had no children of her own, she was loved by many, not only her immediate family, but also her godchildren. They, and others, experienced her love, discipline and generosity for which they will always be grateful.

Teacher Isa is survived by her brother, Amos Lake and family, nephews and nieces Conrad Wilson, Keithley Lake, Stephen Lake, Gilbert Lake, Ned Lake, John Hennis Lake, Jean Lake, Marilyn Yearwood, Rosena Brooks and Dana Ruan as well as her caretaker, Una Proctor.

The Thanksgiving Funeral Service for the late Teacher Isa Louise Lake will be held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Friday, February 12, commencing at 3.30 p.m. The Anguillian offers its condolences to all of the bereaved families and friends.

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