Tributes pour in For late ‘Gem’ Narine

The sudden passing of Serjonie ‘GEM’ Narine who died last Tuesday at the Linden Hospital
Complex (LHC) has left many persons in and around Region Ten dumbfounded.
To many, she was well-loved, admired, respected and a champion for the community. However,
Narine who was serving her second term on the Region Ten RDC Council reportedly died as a
result of COVID according to sources within the Council.
When this media house, www.aroundtheregions.com reached out to some Councillors they were
too traumatised with grief to speak with many describing her death as shocking and
unbelievable.
Regional Chairman, Deron Adams in a statement issued said that Councillor Narine was a very
friendly, respectful and approachable person. He disclosed that the dead Councillor was
celebrated by her colleagues in similar vein. The RC further described her as an easygoing
personality and willing to work with everyone to discharge her responsibilities.
Chairman Adams statement said, “Councillors, officers and staff alike remarked on her
easygoing personality and willingness to work with everyone to discharge her responsibilities”.
Adams, like many other were dumbfounded by the Councillor’s death, noting that the RDC and
people of Region Ten have suffered a severe loss.
AFC Councillor, Mr. Norris King, described her as one of the hardest working Councillors and a
very loveable person who took her responsibilities seriously.
“She (Gem) was one of the more mature Councillors and her contributions was more of a love
for the community,’ he said.

Council Narine with her RDC Counillors as they take a photo moment with
Minister Edghil after the swearing in of the RDC Council.
King added, “It literally shocked everybody, it shocked everybody. Gem was one of the hardest
working Councillors that we had and she was always concerned about this community of Linden,
especially in the areas where indigenous people reside and Gem was a Councillor that anyone
could have related to, you could have stopped her anyway and talked with her. Regardless of her
political affiliation she was one of the persons that understands development of communities and
that was her mantra.”
APNU Councillor, Eleze Hall -Benjamin who sits as a representative of the APNU on the
Council said in her Facebook post: “Rest in peace coz and colleague in so many ways.
Condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. May her legacy of love, fun, togetherness and
dedication live in the hearts of the many people who knew her. She was so sweet in her
personality,” Benjamin Hall posted.
Narine was the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) RDC representative, mother of two sons
and entrepreneur who lived in Speightland in the bauxite-mining town. She is believed to have
contracted the dreaded COVID-19 disease leading to her death
It was revealed that Councillor Narine was elected to the 8th and 9th Councils of the RDC
Region 10 in 2015 and 2020. She chaired the RDC’s Welfare, Women and Gender Affairs
Committee. Further, in the 9 th Council, Narine served as a member of the Education and Health
Committees as well and was assigned direct responsibility for the Speightland, Lower Kara Kara
and Dallawalla communities.

Meanwhile, first-time Regional Democratic Councillor (RDC) and Peoples Progressive Party
Civic (PPP/C) coalition party colleague Kristy Duggin is devastated.
“When I got the news, for a few minutes I thought I was not hearing right. This is a colleague, a
comrade, a friend and most importantly, a great motivator who has helped me significantly thus
far in better understanding Council-related matters,” Duggin recalled.
“Gem was a friend to anyone who interacted and or came into contact with her. Once she was
approached, she sought to help in whatever way she could. She was someone who provided
leadership and was deeply passionate and committed to her community and the people of Region
Ten. The PPP, and more importantly, the Council, has lost a very good Councillor whose only
interest was enhancing and improving the lives of the people. There are so many more good

things that I can say about Gem, but others I am sure may have already spoken about it,” a
disconsolate Duggin said in an interview with www.aroundtheregions.com
She continued, “It is very sad as she was a dear friend and someone that I could have depended
on for advice as this is my first time serving on the council. I will miss her and I know that every
other Councillor will miss her. We the people of Region Ten have lost a great friend who only
sought to improve and enhance lives.”