GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs issued a tribute with respect to civil servant Chantal Schaminee-Ringeling who worked at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports.
“Chantal Schaminee-Ringeling was a bright light full of energy, motivated with a bubbly and positive attitude, always ready to help everyone she could, with the ability to light up a room.
“Husband John, daughter Thalia, mom Carmen and brothers, her live spirit and positive energy could no longer be contained in this frail human form we inhabit, she now lives in the vast expanse of time and space and lives within each and everyone she has loved or touched in some special way.
“Today I'd like to offer words of comfort and hope through these words of scripture.
2 corinthians 4: 16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Romans 8: 38, 39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“So we will miss the powerful physical presence of our tiny dynamo Chantal, but please accept, and I can personally attest to having experienced a deeper bond with my mom since she passed almost 4 years ago, that she is with you all as she lives on in you.
“My first memory of Chantal was as a fellow student in MPC in the 80s... and though she was a tiny girl, she shone with energy, confidence and happiness. Another fact is that where there was Chantal there was Johnnie as we called him then. They were inseparable an remained for me a ray of hope that true love exists and thrives where there is dedication and commitment to making it work.
“Memories of Chantal are filled with animated conversations on any topic, visions of her beautiful smile, classy style of dress and bubbly personality. She has touched the lives of so many and left a mark on this world... she has lived up to the saying that "To teach is to make a difference". Based on the testimonies of her many students including my own daughter who also shared a special bond with her - Chantal made a difference.
“Chantal made history throughout her short life, as the first female director of Havo/Vwo, as recounted by her friend and colleague Yvette Halley who currently runs the Inspectorate in her absence. She was community minded serving as Leo and Lion practically all her life. She was also the first to head the Inspectorate after St. Maarten gained its new status.
“We, as colleagues at MECYS, her former students, club members, teachers, schoolboards, and friends will treasure and should try to internalize the lesson her life teaches us - an example of strength, courage, determination and hope even in the face of great adversity! Continue to shine you light throughout the world.
