The Caribbean group in Brooklyn on Saturday demonstrated its sheer love for beloved Vincentian group employee Denise Craigg throughout an enormous funeral service at Trinity Methodist Church on Japanese Parkway, close to Utica Avenue, in Brooklyn.
The church’s sanctuary, the adjoining Fellowship Corridor, the balcony overlooking the sanctuary, the foyer and entrance had been filled-to-capacity – with standing-room-only – as mourners paid their final respects to Craigg, a local of the village of Gomea in West St. George, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who died on Feb. 10. She was 54.
Mourners – from all walks of life, who got here from close to and much – paid tribute in hymns, songs, prayers, scripture readings, phrases and dances to Craigg, a member of VincyCares, Inc., a number one Vincentian group group in Brooklyn, and one other group of mates often called “De Crew”.
Craigg’s son and solely little one, Pastor Michael Craigg, and his spouse, Dr. Moya Rhoe-Craigg, and a contingent from Pastor Craigg’s church, together with senior pastor, Bishop Dr. Clive Porter, of Victory Place Worldwide Worship Middle in Ft. Lauderhill, Fl, as could be anticipated, performed distinguished roles within the three-hour-long Homegoing Service, which started promptly at midday. Viewing began at 11 a.m.
The service was presided over by the Rev. Derwin Grant, the Vincentian-born pastor of Trinity Methodist Church, who additionally delivered the sermon, and Min. Cecelia Seashore, who served as liturgist.
Gillian Arthur, president of VincyCares, Inc., mentioned Craigg joined the group in 2011 and “immediately grew to become a favourite along with her bubbly persona and sharp responses,” stating that she was “at all times current, early, and was by no means shy so as to add her enter at conferences.”
She mentioned that, over the course of her membership, Craigg served in lots of capacities, together with director, officer-at-large and assistant treasurer.
“All her duties she took significantly – one of many first to indicate up after we had a operate, at all times keen to supply help, a real people-person, as she could possibly be seen socializing at occasions,” mentioned Arthur, flanked by present and previous members.
“However, as soon as the music began, so did the dance – only a spirited and jovial individual,” she added. “She cherished that she may give again to the group and her homeland. She cherished individuals; and, as was evident when she was hospitalized, individuals cherished her, too.”
Monique Neverson-Kirby, one other govt member of VincyCares, Inc., and Craigg’s shut buddy, mentioned they each had spent hours talking on the cellphone at nights till they fell asleep.
“Receiving the information (of Craigg’s passing) was essentially the most heart-wrenching,” Neverson-Kirby mentioned. “I do know I’ll at all times really feel a void. She supported everybody, and her generosity was unmatched.”
She additionally mentioned Craigg “had a method in bringing out the perfect in individuals,” including: “I may say she wanted her personal comedy present. ‘Dee’ (for Denise) has left a blueprint on how we should always dwell our lives.”
A member of De Crew, of which Craigg was additionally a distinguished member, mentioned “she left an indelible mark on our lives.
“We had been shocked,” she mentioned, referring to Craigg’s passing, flanked by members of the group. “She was trustworthy. Denise was a blessing in our lives. We had a singular relationship.
“Denise was a really humble and real lady,” she added. “She by no means dealt on issues she had no management over.”
Fernuda Paul, Craigg’s St. Lucian-born buddy, mentioned Craigg absolutely supported her when she began her small enterprise three years go.
“She was very proud,” Paul mentioned. “She had a ardour. Denise was a gem. After I went merchandising, Denise will come to assist. Denise went so far as Connecticut simply to assist me.”
Talking on behalf of the Holder and Bristol households, Amanda Holder mentioned: “We had the perfect time ever.
“I wanted I used to be her to share love for others,” she mentioned. “She gave herself freely and unconditionally.
“Regardless that in the present day is a tragic day, she wished us to bop the night time away,” Holder added. “Her love was not about materials issues.
“Ms. Denise, you may have left the earth, however you proceed to dwell in our hearts,” she continued. “You might be our Dancing Queen.”
Bishop Porter quipped: “That is wonderful. With this crowd, there’s nobody left in St. Vincent (and the Grenadines).
“I’m so pleased with you, son,” he mentioned, turning to Craigg’s son, Pastor Michael Craigg. “I’m so pleased with you. Out of your ache will come some anointing and blessing.
“You don’t should have Ivy League diploma to affect individuals,” he added, clearly alluding to Craigg. “You simply should be variety. It takes grace.”
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul Normal to america Rondy “Luta” McIntosh mentioned: “We’re nearing the ultimate semester of the college we name life.
“Allow us to be like Denise,” he mentioned, urging mourners and the group generally to cease “the petty bickering and jealousy (big applause). We have to do higher; we have to dwell higher.
“Younger man,” added McIntosh, turning to Craigg’s son, “I do know it’s tough. I urge you to just accept the precept.
“Please be that village to the kids,” he additional urged mourners. “Denise was a village by herself. Allow us to dwell higher with one another.”
The funeral program notes that Craigg, “higher often called ‘Den Den’ to some and to others ‘Dee’”, was born on Jul. 29, 1969, the second born of eight kids to her mom, Barbara Craigg-Matthews.
“She was a proud alumna on the Bishop School Excessive College (in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines),” it says, stating that Craigg migrated to the US in March 2001, making Brooklyn her dwelling.
“All through her years in America, she took up the occupation in childcare,” the obituary provides. “And it was there she discovered her ardour. Denise took care of youngsters for a number of households up till her final days on this earth.
“Her household and mates can all attest that Denise grew to become household to every little one she encountered, and, in such, they maintained a relationship, even after they outgrew their work life collectively,” it continued.
Lately, the obituary says Craigg “tapped into her artistic aspect and launched her personal firm, ‘D’Dazzle’, the place she designed T-shirts and perfected your shoe kinds.”
Along with her personal firm, the obituary says Craigg supported younger entrepreneurs from her homeland in selling and promoting their custom-made merchandise within the US.
“Denise was additionally recognized for her robust volunteerism within the Vincentian Diaspora group,” it says. “She was an energetic member of the VincyCares group for 13 years.
“She additionally aided in lots of meals pantries in her neighborhood, the place she would hand out meals to these much less lucky,” it provides. “Denise naturally had a giving and serving to nature.”
In eulogizing her aunt, Selecia Trimmingham mentioned: “If we had been to checklist Denise’s qualities, we’d be right here all week. However we are able to all agree that almost all say she was jovial, grounded, artistic, beneficiant, tenacious and supportive.
“There’ll by no means be adequate phrases to encapsulate the essence of Denise Craigg, however I need every of us her in the present day to problem ourselves with these two ideas that she lived by,” Trimmingham mentioned. “First, if you happen to can’t management it, don’t dwell on in; pray about it and transfer ahead.
“Secondly, at all times bear in mind ‘it takes a village’”, she added. “Assist the individuals round you, educate the individuals round you, love the individuals round you. They don’t seem to be ours to maintain perpetually.”
Noting that “that is an ambassadorial celebration” and utilizing the favored Psalm 23 as the idea for his sermon, Pastor Grant instructed mourners that “we’re not alone, however He’s in it with us.
“Although we could also be having heavy hearts, the Lord is with us, as a result of He won’t ever depart us nor forsake us,” he preached. “The Psalm is sort of a balm to our wounded soul. It speaks of inexperienced pastures.
“I’ll encourage you, Pastor Craigg, to get intimate with God,” he added. “God has you and me lined. He reveals us to be fearless in adversity.
“Hold your eyes on Jesus,” Rev. Grant continued. “You don’t want a cellphone to name Him. Keep near Him. He’s the great shepherd. Regardless that it could be laborious and unfamiliar, carry on holding that there’s one thing ready for you.”
In eulogizing his mom, Pastor Craigg mentioned: “I need the world to know that Denise was a superb buddy.
“At age 6, she didn’t need me to name her ‘mommy’, as a result of that may make her really feel outdated (laughter),” he mentioned earlier than dancing from one aspect of the sanctuary to the opposite, with the casket in entrance of the pulpit, waving a white handkerchief, because the Reward and Worship Crew bellowed out a number of common, religious songs, resembling “I Am a Warrior”, “Day of Elijah”, “You might be Yahweh”, “I Will All the time Worship You” and “Could His Favor Be Unto You”.
“Denise was very family-oriented,” Pastor Craigg added. “She was very simple to connect with. At this time, a void was in my coronary heart.
“I miss the 1,000 cellphone calls,” he continued. “I’ll miss the ‘sizzling foot’ (laughter). She was at all times occurring the street (laughter). On Jan. 14, my world crumbled. Dying stole my Denise away.
“I wish to thank all of you to your prayers for her whereas she was within the ICU (Intensive Care Unit),” Pastor Craigg mentioned. “In closing, I need us to embrace. I need us to look out for the susceptible round us. I need us to embrace the spirit of volunteerism (standing ovation).”
The obituary says Craigg “leaves to recollect and cherish her reminiscence of heat, generosity and friendship, son, Michael ‘Orey’ Craigg; daughter-in-law, Moya Craigg; siblings: Carmel, Jasmine, Sharon, Rockell, Camile, Dexter, Alecia, Clayfern, Trevor and Shaun; many mates, together with her devoted and longtime mates ‘The Crew’; many nieces (and) nephews; and a bunch of different kin and mates.”
Craigg’s physique was anticipated to be flown to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday for subsequent interment.
