On Wednesday, January 20th, Belize held a State Funeral for the country’s first female and Governor General, Dr. Dame Minita Gordon GCMG GCVO JP. She represented Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II from 1981 when Belize became independent to 1993. Gordon resided in Inglewood, California, USA, at the time of her death on New Year’s Day at the age of 90. On January 18th, her body was transported to Belize.
Gordon will be forever remembered as a hard-working woman ready to help the Belizean youth. She was also the first woman in the Commonwealth to assume the post of Governor General.
Gordon’s body was transported to Belize on Monday, January 18th, and set the beginning of three days of mourning. All flags across the country were flown at half-mast in her honor. When her body arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport, it was met by members of the Belize Defense Force. Present at the time were current Governor General Sir Colville Young, Prime Minister Briceño, Opposition Leader Honourable Patrick Faber and Senator Elena Smith.
On Tuesday, January 19th, a cortege was followed by Doctor Dame Minita Gordon’s lying-in-state where her body was viewed in the former State Dining Room at the Government House. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the public was not allowed to enter.
On Wednesday, the state funeral took place with an Ecumenical Service at 10AM inside the Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist in Belize City. Prime Minister Briceño requested all churches countrywide to observe the solemn occasion by tolling their bells.
The events were streamed live via the Government of Belize Press Office Facebook page and local TV stations. Gordon was laid to rest at the Lord Ridge Cemetery in the afternoon.
