Marigot: --- Hundreds of residents, friends and well wishers gathered at the Marigot Catholic Church on Friday to pay their last respects to culture icon Laurel Richards better known as Yaya or Red Bird. Taxi Drivers from the different associations were seen in their respective uniforms as they all gathered to bid farewell to their colleague and friend, while the relatives and members of the St. Louis Cultural Women's Association dressed in their culture outfit as they remembered Yaya, St. Martin's Culture Icon.
The motorcade with the body of Yaya passed through Philipsburg, French Quarter and Grand Case before heading under the famous tamarind tree in St. Louis where residents and other mourners gathered to pay their last respects. While the occasion was somber their were lots of eating and drinking as the hearse stood under the tree for about 45 minutes before taking off to the church where the viewing and tributes took place.
The casket was draped with Yaya's culture dress when it was taken in the church, as the body lay the church for the viewing the dress was replaced with the association's flag.
Many persons from within the community spoke of Yaya's dedication to her village, and her relatives. Most of them spoke of how she organized events relating to St. Martin's culture despite the hardships in finding sponsors. They said Yaya was everybody's mother, even to persons much older than her. She also had a sense of command as she headed the St. Louis Cultural Women's Association with pride and love. Yaya also worked in the housekeeping of La Samana Hotel and was a well known taxi driver. She was one of those persons who touched the lives of everyone she met whether young or old. Another great attribute of Yaya was that she knew how to comfort people who was hurting and when they were in need. Villagers said some of the residents in St. Louis would make sure they waited for Yaya each day as she return home from work. They said Yaya would never go straight home instead she would make her usual stops to see if everyone was okay and of course sending drinks or ice cream to those that waited for her to return home each day.
Among those that paid their last respects was culture pioneer Nicole Piper.
Among the well wishers were territorial councilor Jean David Richardson, and President Frantz Gumbs.
Relatives made sure they informed the well wishers that the memorial service was one to celebrate Yaya's life and not the time to weep and mourn. Yaya they said lived a life that is worth celebrating.
After the funeral service the casket was placed on a nicely decorated flat bed truck which transported the body to the Sandy Ground Cemetery where the internment took place.
