Olga Evelyn Moore was born on May 19 1927 in Ann’s Grove Village, East Coast Demerara, Guyana to Vincent &Winifred Moore (nee Sancho).
She married Claude McKenzie, a fellow Guyanese in England and the union bore three children.
Ms. Olga Evelyn McKenzie (nee Moore) died on November 4, 2013, and was preceded in death by her husband Mr. Claude McKenzie
Viewing is to be held on November 09, 2013 from 12 –1 pm followed by a Service form 1 pm at First Assembly of God, 718 Hart Road, McComb, Mississippi 39648 USA.
Eulogy
Our joy today is tinged with heavy hearts as we say farewell to our beloved Olga Evelyn McKenzie. To us you are a mother, grandmother, sister, Auntie and friend; to others, a dedicated public servant. We are left to go on without you. Your spirit and our memories of your graciousness will sustain us as we travel on with loving memories.
On May 19 1927 when the sun rose, the world was blessed with the birth of our angel; child of Vincent &Winifred Moore nee Sancho of Ann’s Grove village. She was an inquisitive child, eager to learn and make friends. Her youth was well spent in the village of Ann’s Grove. She attended Ann’s Grove Primary school. After passing her Common Entrance Examination, she entered Bishops High School. Since she lived in the country, she had to make an adjustment to life in Georgetown. At Bishops, she was an excellent student.
On graduation from Bishops, she worked for a while at several jobs. Intent on becoming a pharmacist like her father, she migrated to the United States to continue her education. With characteristic studiousness and determination, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University in Washington, D.C. class of 1954, in Pharmacy.
By and by, destiny brought to her Claude McKenzie, a fellow Guyanese who had gone to the US to continue his studies also. They were married in England. After the birth of their 3 children, they returned to Guyana to raise their family and contribute to the nation’s development.
Her working years in Guyana were very fulfillin. Among her many callings were 5th grade teacher at Watooka Day School; Chemist at Demerara Bauxite Company, (DEMBA), later called Guymine; Chief Pharmacist of Guyana; Lecturer at the University of Guyana and Board Director at Guyana Pharmaceutical Company. She was one of the driving forces for the creation of the Pharmacy program at UG, frequently driving from Linden to Georgetown to the UG campus at Turkeyne. In the 1970s she made many trade missions to several countries, including China, to buy medicines and supplies for the Ministry of Health.
Always the entrepreneur, she, along with her husband, also found time to start Fashion Line Cosmetics, a manufacturing company producing cosmetics, and to purchase, develop and operate a farm on the Linden Highway. She was also involved in promoting the arts in Linden and helped to organize several cultural events, including art and talent shows. She hosted in her home world renowned singer, Miriam Makeba, when she toured Guyana in the 1960’s. She was a tireless developer of ideas and a hard working contributor to the civic life of Guyana and specifically Linden.
She loved to play the piano. However, her true labor of love was in crotcheting especially the wedding gowns of her two daughters. She loved gardening and especially enjoyed her orchids. She had a heart for charity and especially for children. She was a regular supplier of fresh fruit and chicken to the Linden Handicap Center for Children.
She loved being mother to Kim Luncheon, Mark McKenzie and Patrice Jordon and was always their vigorous advocate and defender. She loved being mother-in-law to Frank Luncheon and Renie Jordon; grandmother to Shaun & Leeza Luncheon, Carl McKenzie and Tamyka, Walter & Abigail Jordon; friend to all.
To us, her family, she was a bundle of love and joy; energy and compassion. She was always there to guide and comfort us. Her generosity extended to her friends and neighbors. She was a good listener and enjoyed the company of young and old. We are very blessed to have had her with us these many years. We will always carry deep in our hearts, in a special place, the fond memories of our Olga.
