SOUTH FLORIDA – Mrs. Marcia Elaine ‘Mer’ Rigg-Baker, former co-founder and principal of ABI Startime and the Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant, peacefully handed on Monday, January 15, 2024, after a interval of ill-health. A local of Jamaica, Mrs. Rigg-Baker was born in Inexperienced Island, Hanover, on September 5, 1950.
A former graduate of Rusea’s Excessive Faculty, in Hanover, she was employed to the Nationwide Insurance coverage Scheme (NIS) after which at Barclays Financial institution, (Hanover and Kingston). Marcia migrated to the US in July 1980.
Empowering Younger Ladies
Her contributions to the South Florida Diaspora group, and Jamaica are immeasurable. Ms. Baker leaves behind a long-lasting legacy as founding father of the Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant and the Companions for Youth Basis (PFY) together with her late husband, Anthony Baker. They based the ABI Startime, giving rise to the Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant, and in a while, the non-profit charitable group, Companions for Youth Basis. Their mission empowered younger ladies, offering an area for creativity, constructing self-confidence, and nurturing enterprise acumen. After Tony’s passing, Marcia, supported by a circle of devoted mates and previous ambassadors, dedicated to persevering with this mission in the present day celebrating almost 40 years in South Florida.
The Bakers have been among the many Vanguards honoured by the Jamaican Consulate Basic in Miami, through the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence within the Southern USA Diaspora group. These honorees have been acknowledged for his or her pioneering initiatives on the forefront of a number of elements of the wealthy Jamaican cultural heritage and ‘Model Jamaica’ being highlighted in the present day throughout the Diaspora.
Affectionately generally known as Ms. Marcia, her profound dedication remodeled younger women, particularly first and second technology Jamaican-American, into empowered ladies of tomorrow. Ms. Marcia created a sanctuary the place the significance of cultural origins was acknowledged and celebrated, proudly embracing her identification as a Jamaican. Her legacy is unshakable, as described by the various who labored together with her on the pageant committees 12 months after 12 months. She shared equally the unbreakable bonds she fostered amongst that influential group of ladies, most of whom supported her all through years of steering to the numerous younger ladies imparting to them the significance of grace and cultural aptitude. She mentored a whole bunch of pageant entrants, leaving a permanent impression on their lives. Right now, many are profitable entrepreneurs, professionals in particular areas, in addition to leaders in academia and company roles.
Rusea’s Previous Pupil’s Affiliation (ROSA)
She was additionally co-founder of the South Florida chapter of the Rusea’s Previous Pupil’s Affiliation (ROSA) Florida chapter, a non-profit 501(c)(3) affiliation,. ROSA is devoted to advancing the academic aims of their alma mater. Based in 1777, Rusea’s Excessive has produced a lot of Jamaica’s high leaders in quite a few walks of life and disciplines in its 240 years existence.
She is predeceased by her husband, Anthony Baker; and her dad and mom, Eric George and Myrtle Spence Rigg; her sister, Ouida (Wendy); and her brother, Edmund (Billy). She is survived by her daughters, Andrean and Racquel (Dian), granddaughters Chelsea and Taylor, sisters Joan Tavares, Gean Atherton, Colleen Dacosta, Sharon Vickers, brothers Dennis, Trevor, Carl, Michael, Collin, and a bunch of different family and mates.
Funeral Service
The funeral service shall be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Genesis Christian Church, 1490 Banks Street, Margate, Florida. Pastor Dr. Owen Facey will officiate. The household will obtain mates on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 4961 NW 18th Avenue, Lauderhill, FL. The household additionally expresses gratitude for the wonderful care offered by Vitas Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Companions for Youth Basis, Florida, shall be gratefully obtained at www.partnersforyouthfoundation.org.
