Remembering Mrs. Esther Ebanks... cherishing another precious piece of the old Cayman

By Nyda Flatley

I remember when Ms. Esther arrived with her family from Cayman Brac. Her Mom and Dad Mr. Tony and Miss Chrissie rented my Mom's Uncle Lorraine's house in West Bay not far from the Bay and Silver Sands cafe. There were five children as I recall, Gurvin, Esther, Karen, Steve and Jacquie.

As a young child, I realised that they were an amazing family, Karen and Steve were the ages of my older sisters and Esther who was older, was demure and soft spoken. They appeared to be very talented and industrious. Miss Chrissie quickly came to know my grandmother and aunts. She believed in us youngsters getting a good education but also valued hard work and self-discipline.

The family later went to live in town but Esther would marry a West Bayer and remain in West Bay. Karen would later become a teacher having taught me Spanish which I would also pursue at university. Steve was at one time the youngest doctor to graduate from UWI and Jacquie also attended the Physio Centre in Mona where she would become our first Caymanian physio-therapist.

When I returned from university in the summers, Ms. Esther asked a group of us to help with a Community Youth Club which she was instrumental in providing wholesome activities and good food on Friday evenings.

Later on, I would come to know and teach some of Ms. Esther's children; Tommie, Tanya, Tessa and Timmie. Like her, they were stalwart citizens, dependable, kind and hardworking.

She remained true to herself when she entered politics and she found a voice which was respected by all who knew her. She believed in sound government and great causes and never failed to remember the down-trodden.

Her union with the late Mr. Dalmain Ebanks, former MLA and sporting legend further cemented her legacy.

May we remember her with joy and be thankful for her memory.

Nyda Flatley.