Times of the Islands Winter 2016/17

Mrs. Marjorie Lightbourne-Basden was born in South
Caicos on August 1, 1924. She attended preschools of the
late Miss Mary Robinson and of the late Mrs. Euphemia
Lockhart. At the age of seven, she entered the Government
All Age Primary School, headed by the famous Principal
Christian D. Powell. He had an outstanding reputation
in the Islands in respect to education and discipline.
Following his death, Mr. Kenneth Malcolm took over the
headship of the school, but he was soon replaced by Mr.
Arthur Tatem.
Mr. Tatem quickly identified Marjorie’s talent and
gave her the opportunity to sit First, Second and Third
Preliminary Examinations. This required her having to
travel to Grand Turk on the mailboat, Kathleen, to write
her examinations, as this was the only Examination Center
in the Islands at the time. She was successful in all three
examinations. Her desire was to become a nurse, but this
dream seemed a long way away.
Like most students at the time, Marjorie developed
a very close relationship with some of her classmates.
These included Mr. Samuel Saunders, Mrs. Iris Stubbs
(Tita), Mrs. Muriel Stubbs, Mrs. Jamima Seymour, Mrs.
Gertrude Seymour, and Mrs. Della Basden-Fulford. This
was an outstanding academic group, with a passion for
Mathematics and Reading. Marjorie was one who was
always called upon to assist her teacher. She probably
didn’t realize that this was the preparation for an outstanding
career in education. The kids also played games
such as rounders and attended parties and Sunday School
together. They were all followers of the Anglican faith.
Teaching career
In 1936, Marjorie and Mrs. Iris Stubbs became pupil teachers.
They taught with passion, dignity and pride. The
salary was the least of their worries. They were disciplinarians
but also developed a good rapport with parents.
They cared for their students and produced some of the
best professionals in the Islands from South Caicos.
Mrs. Basden was highly respected in the community.
When students saw her on the street, they would
stop doing whatever they were engaged in and pay her
due respect. If she felt that they were idling, she would
send them home. They had to obey her instructions. In
the classroom, she was one of the “sweetest” and “loving”
individuals a parent could entrust with their child. This did
not prevent her from sparing the rod where necessary.
She benefitted from numerous in-service training
courses including First Aid, Shorthand and Bookkeeping.
She retired in July 1980.
Union
On February 13, 1945, she married Mr. James Lightbourne.
This union produced two children, Lincoln and Rosita.
Following the birth of Rosita, her husband moved the family
to Nassau, Bahamas in search of a better livelihood.
Here, he was gainfully employed by the late Wallace Grove
on Little Whale Cay. Marjorie became headmistress of the
little school where the Grove’s children were enrolled.
She also taught Sunday School and held evening classes
where she taught the Three R’s along with needlework
and embroidery.
After some time, the Groves decided to relocate to
Grand Bahama. Marjorie’s husband thought it best she
return to South Caicos and said he would soon follow.
This did not happen until forty years later.
Marjorie did return to South Caicos and continued her
life. She eventually got divorced and married Mr. Cornelius
Basden. This union produced Beverley who has also followed
in her mother’s footsteps as a teacher. Marjorie
always reminds her that “teachers are born, not made.”
Life’s challenges
Marjorie Basden’s life was not without challenges. Early in
her life, her mother left South Caicos and moved to Grand
Turk to seek employment, leaving Marjorie in the care
of her grandmother. However, because of their maternal
bond, her mother soon sent for Marjorie. This bond was
soon to be broken. Her mother fell ill and decided to send
Marjorie back to South Caicos while she went to Salt Cay
to be cared for. Unfortunately, she never recovered.
Soon Marjorie’s beloved grandmother died, leaving
her in the care of her grandmother’s sister, Susan
Wilson-Williams. Her aunt’s husband Nathaniel (Uncle
Nun) planned to send her to pursue her nursing career in
Jamaica. However, disaster struck once again. In 1945, he
passed away, shattering her dream.
Achievements
Mrs. Marjorie Basden has been the recipient of several
awards. She was one of the first recipients of an award
from the Native Men’s Fellowship in Providenciales. In
1993, she received the Badge of Honour from Her Majesty
The Queen, Elizabeth ll for her number of years as an educator.
In 1990, the Pierson High School was re-named in
her honour as Marjorie Basden High School. She was also
honoured by the school in November 2015 at their annual
Anniversary Service. On October 10, 2016, she received
the Long Service Award as teacher by TCI’s National
Honours and Awards Committee.
16 www.timespub.tc