– hailed for dedication to party, hinterland legacy
Former Minister, Valarie Garrido-Lowe, who served as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs from 2015 to 2020, has died, with the Alliance For Change (AFC) announcing that she died on Sunday due to a heart attack.
The party announced the death of their former executive in a statement in which it also praised her role as a stalwart of the party from its early days. According to the AFC, not only was she a fearless advocate for the people, but she was one of its most dedicated party members.
Former AFC Minister Valarie Garrido Lowe
“She served with distinction as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs from 2015 to 2020, where she worked tirelessly to empower Amerindian communities and protect their rights and livelihoods. Her passionate voice, unwavering commitment, and sincere compassion earned her the respect and admiration of all who worked alongside her,” AFC also said.
Meanwhile, AFC Leader Nigel Hughes also announced Garrido-Lowe’s passing in a statement on his social media page and paid tribute to her, describing her as one of the party’s “best and most faithful members.”
“To the family of Ms Valerie Garrido-Lowe we extend our most profound sympathies at this devastating loss. We would like to express our deep and sincere gratitude to you for having shared her with us. Her contribution both to the party and the country will be recorded. Val travel safely. May your wonderful soul soar over us,” Hughes said.
Cathy Hughes, a senior executive of the AFC and former Cabinet colleague of Garrido-Lowe under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition Government—which held office from 2015 to 2020—spoke of the lasting impact Garrido-Lowe made in hinterland communities during her tenure.
“We’ve lost my dear friend Valerie Garrido-Lowe former Minister in the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs 2015-2020. She worked tireless during her tenure and left us with the Paramakatoi processing plant in region Eight, the Lapidary in Monkey Mountain and the coffee processing plant in Moruca. Val darling your work is done. Sleep with the angels,” she said.
AFC’s former coalition partner, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) from APNU also issued a statement in which they expressed condolences at her passing.
“The PNCR and APNU mourn the passing of Valarie Garrido-Lowe, former Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, who died this morning (Sunday 25th May). Our heartfelt condolences to her family, relatives and friends. May her soul find Eternal Peace,” PNC said.
A businesswoman for many years, Garrido-Lowe has also played various roles in the fields of Education, Health Journalism, Advertising, Computer Graphic Design and Insurance. A sports enthusiast, she also served on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control and on the Hinterland Youth and Sports Development Association.
As a politician, she was a member of The United Force (TUF) for fifteen years. She joined the AFC in 2011 and served as within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs from 2015 to 2020 and in 2019, received the highest votes for the 12 member AFC executive.
Her death comes mere weeks after the death of another former cabinet colleague of hers, Amna Ally, who also served in the former APNU/AFC Government, but as Minister of Social Cohesion and Social Protection.
