Ian's Eulogy 

It took me a long time to find the words that I plan to share with you today, but here it goes.

On June 16th, 2024 – I lost the person that I considered to be my home and my grounding peace. It’s no secret that she and I shared a special connection. She had my back no matter what. I vividly remember an occasion when Landon and I were kids, we had an argument that turned physical. Although I can’t say for sure who was in the right, I can tell you with high confidence that I was in the wrong and my parents were letting me know it. Even after I had conceded, Grandma was still fighting tooth and nail to defend and support me without question. That experience and many others taught me the meaning of unconditional love.

Grandma was the matriarch of this family. She was as wise as she was blunt. If she had a problem with something, she would let you know about it.  Even though her words may have hurt, she was always right. She valued getting her point across over how her point would make you feel, and she made me a better person for it. She taught us that honest feedback is the best way to instill improvement.

She made sure we understood her love for Guyana, the UK, and of course the USA. A love that I have inherited. I attribute the deep connection that I have with my Caribbean roots to her. She understood the importance of hard work, but more importantly, she understood the importance of balancing hard work with play. “You must remember to enjoy yourself” are her words that echo in my head.

I am fortunate to have shared so many special moments with her, but the one that I will forever cherish occurred on my last trip to visit her in Guyana. On my final day of my trip, she and I spent some time on the upstairs veranda of her home holding hands in almost complete silence. All you could hear was the light afternoon rain falling. We both just smiled. I don’t know how much time passed but, in that moment, nothing else in the world mattered. You know that you share something special with a person when you feel complete comfort in someone’s company without saying a word.

Thank you grandma for making me the person that I am today.

Goodbye Grandma – I will do my best to make you proud until the day that we meet again.

Love,

Ian Steve-Simpkins (aka Suck-finger Jack)