I am saddened and shocked at the sudden passing of Mrs. Joyce Hoyte, former First Lady of Guyana.
In the afternoon of Friday, February 11, 2011, I visited her at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. She was unwell, but didn’t appear to be in a serious condition. In fact, in her usual style, we talked about life and experiences. She did state that her back was awfully painful, as she had a spinal problem. She described the pain as severe and debilitating and observed that it affected her mobility. This led to her falling at her home, with the awful experience of remaining on the floor until someone turned up to lift her.
She casually referred to a report that there was some fluid in her lungs and in between our chatting she used the oxygen mask. She also mentioned a medical comment that her kidneys may be posing a problem.
While she was obviously ill, there was no thought of the illness being terminal, as with her piercing eyes and strong voice, she gave me some assignments and asked that I speak with her on Saturday, the next day.
With that backdrop, an announcement in my Office on Monday, February 14, 2011 before midday that she had died, came as a surprising and sad development. I rushed to the hospital, only to find that the report of her demise was confirmed.
I have known Mrs. Hoyte for many years. Her husband, then President of Guyana, invited me in 1986 to serve as a technocrat – non elected member of Parliament and as a Minister of Government. During my role as a Minister in 1986 – 1992, I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Joyce Hoyte socially, travelling overseas with the President and herself and at dinners and formal receptions.
I formed the impression that she was a devoted wife, deeply concerned with the welfare of her husband and providing support to him in the execution of his challenging, demanding job, as President of the Republic. She was protective of him and whenever he was out of town, there would be regular calls to enquire whether all was well with him.
She showed keen interest in National Affairs and when she got to know you well, will candidly express her views without reservation.
In 1985, she was involved in a terrible motor vehicle accident on the Linden Highway. Her two daughters Maxine and Amanda, a sister and the Chauffeur, died on the spot. Mrs. Joyce Hoyte was seriously injured and had to seek urgent medical attention overseas. She was distraught and in her grief, tried to lock herself away from people.
Special efforts were made to motivate her to leave her home. One such event was the Maxine Amanda Concert held at St. Andrews Kirk, which was her first reappearance in public after the tragedy. Her caring husband Desmond Hoyte, behind the scenes, sought the help and support of friends and relatives to encourage her to interact with people.
The accident and the loss of their children, deeply wounded both herself and her husband. Their pain was sometimes obvious inspite of their efforts to mask their feelings. They never really overcame that loss; it was a deep wound in their hearts. As a couple, they lived with love and got satisfaction in doing little things. I recall President Hoyte seeking advice on the type of gift he should buy for his wife on her birthday or wedding anniversary. There were simple things which united them.
In travels overseas as the First Lady, she interacted with his Ministers and Officials, calmly, friendly and courteously. She enjoyed the jokes which flowed from her husband, who had a great sense of humour.
The death of her husband in 2002, after he had demitted Office as President was another serious wound in her heart. She then lost not just a husband but her best friend, companion and confidante. It created a vacuum, which was never filled. She lived alone in her North Road house, the same place which they occupied even when her husband was President. To compound her distress, she later lost her sisters. The loneliness became more pronounced, but with calm dignity, she showed her friends a face of confidence and wellbeing.
It was during that difficult period, I got to better understand Mrs. Hoyte, by way of comforting her. I spoke regularly to her on the telephone, even managing to get her to laugh. She was a very private person. I remember her listening to my Saturday Night Radio Programme, when I played the song:
“The Great Pretender” with the lyrics:
“O yes I am the great pretender, pretending that I am doing well
my needs are such I pretend too much
I am lonely, but no one can tell”
The next day, she called me and said, “I enjoyed your programme and I do know that you are a great pretender”. I admitted that deaths in my family had created physical, mental and emotional stress, but it was necessary to maintain the facade of equanimity and to project feelings of contentment and happiness. Mrs. Hoyte, though a very private person, pondered awhile and then said to me, in a solemn manner, that she was also a great pretender. She was a lonely lady.
Without her statement, I knew that she often felt not just the loss of her children, her husband and her sisters, but she perceived some element of lack of kindness, thoughtfulness, friendship, caring and special considerations for her as the widow of a former Political Leader and Executive President of Guyana. She opined that her husband had some “Presidential Friends” and “Comrades”, who distanced themselves when he was no longer Head of State.
Mrs. Hoyte continued to live modestly, preparing for herself, without assistance in the home. She acknowledged that there were a few genuine persons who maintained contact with her and cared for her. She was thankful, appreciative and grateful to them.
Her marriage stands out as an example for couples, where reciprocal love, consideration, mutual understanding and oneness were always evident.
Guyana’s development and its people were dear to her heart. I am sure that in her unique way she supported and helped her husband – then President of Guyana to pursue changes and reform which were then necessary for Guyana’s development.
Mrs. Joyce Hoyte bowed out of the earthly life quietly and gracefully as she lived. Her memory will live in the hearts of those who cared for her.
I will miss our frequent telephone conversations.
FAREWELL! FARE THEE WELL!
