Saying Goodbye to Karen Codrington of The Codrington Pan Family

Global -  In this time of COVID-19, much has changed, including the attendance of funerals/celebrations of life due to restrictions in size of gatherings. And this was of course true for the in-person attendance of the December 19 service for the late Karen Codrington, matriarch of and drummer/percussionist for the Codrington Pan Family; they were supported by those joining remotely.  Preceding the official service, there was a moving montage of images set to the steelband performance/version by the Codringtons themselves, of Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone,” showcasing Karen and her beautiful family -  illustrating in part how much of their adult lives were spent.  The official service began shortly after 1:00 p.m. AST (Atlantic Standard Time).

Karen Codrington remembered

Those gathered in person were essentially close friends, members of the pan fraternity and immediate family; the latter included Karen’s husband Cary, her children (Kareem, Khari, Kaijah, Keisha, Kamau and Kizzi), and young grandchildren.  The eldest, Kareem, appeared to be in the United States, but participating remotely? To be confirmed.  There were many more online via the YouTube livestream, with around three hundred and sixty-nine ‘logged on’ at one point, the bulk from Trinidad and Tobago, but several from islands in the Caribbean, others from the North American continent, and beyond. Some had additional people alongside viewing the same stream, and in some cases noted those respective numbers via Chat. Many left heartfelt condolences and messages of support for the family. Finally, there were those who were viewing - without being officially logged in.

Karen Codrington remembered

The service was to the point, with a simple but illuminating eulogy/discourse delivered by Brother Winston Simon, one of the elders of the South Belmont congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He had taken the time to sit down with Karen’s family, endeavoring to share a capsule portrait of her through the eyes of her loved ones. He read several direct quotes from her children sharing their love for their Mom, along with a poignant poem husband Cary penned in honor of the love of his life. Karen was described as the “glue” of her family, just one of many tributes paid to her. The livestream paused for a period of time, then resumed at 3:07 p.m. at the interment site, where after a short rite and final goodbyes, Karen Codrington was laid to rest.

Karen Codrington remembered

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