Nurse, community worker and educator, Reverend Dr. Sadie G. Vernon, 90, passed away of complications due to pneumonia at her home in Belize City last Monday.
The beloved Sadie Vernon is perhaps best known for starting the school now named after her – Sadie Vernon Technical High – in 1964 as the all-girls’ Belize Continuation School (Sadie Vernon Tech is now co-ed).
Sadie was also active in the church (she was an ordained preacher) and the community, shepherding hundreds of girls through Continuation from its start at the Y on St. Thomas Street to Dean Street and now at Morning Glory and Partridge.
Her family surrounded Sadie, who had a long-running battle with cancer, at her bedside during her final moments, and say she remained lucid to the end.
Sadie had published an autobiography of her life experiences, In-Transit: The Story of A Belizean Journey, in 2000.
Principal of Sadie Vernon Technical, Laura Baptist, says the school has created a school song in tribute to her, plan to unveil a monument to her on the school’s campus, and will hold an open day on what would have been her 91st birthday next March.
The Reverend Dr. Sadie Vernon was laid to rest after thanksgiving services at St. John’s Cathedral Friday afternoon, December 5.