Obituary of Averil Samuel-Guiste

In Loving Memory of Averil Elise Samuel Guiste Our dear and devoted mother, Averil Elise Samuel Guiste, born August 22, 1945 in Marigot, Dominica peacefully slipped the surly bonds of earth and was ushered into the arms of her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on May 12, 2020 from a stroke she suffered on May 1. Averil, or Avo, as she was affectionately called, was the sixth and last child of her parents, Uriah Samuel and Isabella Hewlett Samuel, who preceded her in death, along with their children, her siblings, Allan, Peter, Eula, Clemon, and Audrey. Loving, generous, and godly mother to Averil “Josie” Massie (Jonathan), Catherine Guiste (preceded in death), Raymund Guiste (Zita), and Nigel Guiste (Maribel), and proud and doting grandmother to Joseph, Katie, Alyssa, Aaron, Isaiah, Elijah, Noah, and Shiyloh Guiste, and Josiah and Caleb Massie. Mummy was also a cherished and beloved aunt to numerous nieces and nephews and surrogate mother to many. Her open arms and compassionate heart welcomed an endless number of adoring and loyal friends whom she counted and treated as family. After “Mummy” and “Granny,” “Aunty” was her most treasured title. Averil attended Marigot Infant and Primary Schools, before becoming a teacher at the latter. She was a member of the Life Girls’ Brigade, a youth arm of the Methodist Church, and was known for her feisty, mischievous, and loyal character. She moved to Antigua as a newlywed and then immigrated to Canada in 1968 where her first job was at Viceroy, before moving on to the provincial government in the Ministry of Health, where she retired early as a senior manager. During her tenure at OHIP, she earned diplomas in Business Administration and Adult Education and Training. Much of her retirement was spent fulfilling a lifelong dream to travel the world with Friends and family. A loyal, generous, and sacrificial mother and friend, she was everyone’s confidante. Many, including her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, sought her honest, wise, and above all, loving counsel. But her greatest legacy, our eternal, family heirloom, is her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. As a daughter of The King, Mummy knew that God has no grandchildren. She taught us early that we could not put on her faith and call it our own. We would not be saved because he was saved. We must, she told us over and over, confess with our own mouths that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe with our own hearts that God raised Him from the dead, and then —- and only then —- would we be saved from our sin. “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:10) In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Canada-Dominica (CANDO) Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships and relief to eligible students and their families in our Isle of Beauty and Splendor. Please send your contributions to: Commonwealth of Dominica Association, Hamilton Account number: 0178 7581-5205500 Canada Trust 1119 Fennell Ave. Hamilton, ON L8T 1S2 Or mail cheques payable to: Commonwealth of Dominica Association, Hamilton (CODAH) 437 Eaglewood Dr.. Hamilton, ON L8T 2T1** Please note that CODAH cannot issue tax receipts. Thank you.Funeral Services will be held at Glen Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only immediate family can attend. However, a live stream will be available. Please click on the link below to gain access to the livestream which will begin Saturday May 16th at 11: 55 a.m. http://www.distantlink.com/dlm77.html Password: Arbor1*Please leave a message of condolence for the family in our online guestbook.