Edna Baptiste spent the last 27 years of her life residing in London.
Edna Baptiste made history in 1962 as Montserrat’s first Festival queen. But her life would not be defined by simply being a beauty pageant contestant. She was a devoted wife and mother and a caring sister. She was also a teacher and company manager who left an impression with her congeniality, grace and generosity.
A consensus among those who knew her best revealed a peaceful soul who traversed all social circles with ease. She was approachable and affable and forged lasting friendships. As one former colleague stated: “She was always smiling – even if she was upset.”
Edna Baptiste passed away in a London hospital on Friday, October 10, 2025 – 12 days after her 82nd birthday. She had battled several ailments in recent years but her health deteriorated rapidly in the weeks before her death.
“I am so broken up right now,” said Edna’s sister Adelina Tuitt, who served as a minister with the Government of Montserrat from 1996 to 2001. “We used to talk every day, sometimes on What’s App or video call. My sister was beautiful and she had a love for people.”
To friends and colleagues Edna was a trusted confidante and reassuring presence. To her former students she was “Teacher Edna” – the lady who exemplified class while teaching class. To her children she was the mom who enjoyed baking cornbread for her boys on Sunday, preparing Cabbage au Gratin and listening to Earth, Wind and Fire.
Edna’s appeal was innate, not invented. And her humility was a byproduct of her upbringing.
HAILING FROM THE EAST
Edna Elvira Tuitt was born on September 28, 1943 in Farms Village in the east of Montserrat. She was the fourth of 10 children born to Noel Tuitt – affectionately known as “Dada Tarm” – and his wife Sarah.
“Our father was an expert builder,” Adelina said. “He built a lot of the houses in Farms. I think Edna got her personality from him. He was very quiet and humble.”
Edna attended Bethel Primary School, about a half-mile east of Farms. In January of 1955 she became the first member of her family to attend the Montserrat Secondary School. It was a big deal in those days, especially for children from rural areas.
“We entered Secondary School on the same day and we remained friends throughout,” said Pamela Arthurton, who succeeded Edna as Festival queen in 1963. “We played netball for the school team and I’m godmother to her son. She has always been dear to me.”
Jim Bass, a former Permanent Secretary with the Government of Montserrat, attended MSS with Edna.
“She was in a lower Form but I remember her well,” Bass said. “She was a lovely person, very calm with a pleasant disposition. One thing that stands out for me is that she would give you her total attention when she was talking to you.”
FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER
In December of 1960, Edna sat the Senior Cambridge Exam and passed. She then launched her teaching career, first at St. George’s in Harris Village. She also taught at Cork Hill and Kinsale primary schools. In 1968 Edna attended Leeward Islands Teachers Training College in Antigua (now Antigua State College).
Jennifer Michael, who hails from Dyer’s Village, was taught by Edna at St. George’s in 1961.
“She was one of the most attractive and glamorous teachers of her time,” said Michael, then known as Jennifer Greenaway. “As a young girl I was quite taken with her overall appearance. She cared a lot for the children in her class and interacted well with all of us. I remember her copying work from her hardcover notebook to the blackboard with that noted left hand. I was excited listening to the radio when she participated in our first queen show.”
Adelina said that for many years after Edna’s teaching career ended and she had migrated, her former male students would always inquire about her.
“They would ask me, ‘How is Miss Edna doing!? How is she?’ They all fell in love with her.”
CROWNING MOMENT
In 1962 the Montserrat Jaycees launched the island’s first official Festival, with the Queen Show as the main event. The Jaycees meticulously recruited contestants, searching for upstanding young ladies while ensuring most areas of the island were represented. The final five were: Edna Tuitt, 19, of Farms; Margaret Corbett, 21, of St. Patrick’s; Veronica Hickson, 22, of Plymouth; Audrey O’Garro, 18, of Salem; and Lynn Piper, 17, of Town Hill.
Speaking in 2022, Edna recalled being sponsored by Lindy and Olive Eid, the couple who operated the New York Store, a variety outlet with locations on George and Strand streets in Plymouth. Edna shared a story about Peter “Red Poll” Howson, the popular town businessman and resident character.
“People started calling me ‘Miss New York Store’. I think most people expected Lynn Piper to win because she was sponsored by Vue Pointe Hotel. The day of the show, Red Poll walked past the stage and said, ‘Ah bet ayu Miss New York Store a go win.’ ”
Red Poll was prophetic. Edna was crowned Miss Montserrat, with Lynn Piper first runner-up. Edna’s top prize was a trip to Trinidad. Fellow contestant Audrey O’Garro, who now resides in the United States, said in 2024: “I had a feeling Edna was going to win. She was pretty, she was mild-mannered and she had a wonderful personality.”
O’Garro then added with a laugh: “She was fair-skinned but she wasn’t stuck up.”
Ionie Ponde, Edna’s former MSS schoolmate and friend, said Edna was always beautiful but dressed conservatively at school with a simple hairstyle. So on the night of the show, now sporting a fancy evening gown and coiffed hair, she made a huge impact. Add her personality to the mix and it was magic. “I knew she was going to win,” Ponde said.
Edna prevailed but the contestant who would become most famous was Corbett, who was later better known as Margaret “Annie Dyer” Howe, the longtime politician and community icon who passed away in 2019.
I had a feeling Edna was going to win. She was pretty, she was mild-mannered and she had a wonderful personality.
Audrey O’Garro, fellow contestant, on Edna (above)
AFTER THE PAGEANT
On December 18, 1965, Edna married Roy Baptiste, an Antiguan police officer who was working in Montserrat. The couple lived in Parsons in a housing compound shared by the families of fellow police officers Winfield Griffith, Sydney Charles Sr. and Thomas Richards. Edna and Roy welcomed two sons – Delbert in 1966 and Courtney in 1972.
In late 1969 Edna was hired by Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) as a ticket agent. The following year she moved to Antigua when her husband was transferred to the police department there. She worked for LIAT in Antigua, then moved back to Montserrat in 1978 to manage the office of Montserrat Aviation Services. She lived in Richmond Hill and then Weekes’ before being displaced by the volcanic crisis and returning to Antigua.
In 1983 Edna gave birth to a third son, Leandro, better known as Lee. Delbert worked as a teacher for several years, including at Cork Hill School, where his mom taught years earlier. He was later employed by Cable & Wireless and now sells insurance. He has resided in Antigua since 1985.
Courtney – also known as “Colour Man” – was popular in entertainment circles as a musician with the band Tidal Wave and briefly as a nightclub promoter. In 1992 he captured Montserrat’s Road March title with the song Cock Fowl Jam. Sadly, he passed away in 2021.
Lee migrated to England with Edna and was her main caretaker during her illness.
Roy Baptiste, who served more than three decades as a police officer – achieving the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the Antigua Police Force from 1982 to 1989 – passed away in 1997.
A CLASS ACT
Since Edna’s passing, many have shared stories about how she impacted their lives. Adelina said her sister would sometimes issue free airline tickets to the needy. When Edna worked for LIAT in Antigua, she was a welcome sight for in-transit Montserratians, who knew she would do everything within her power to address their travel issues. One traveler recalled desperately needing a flight out of Antigua and Edna getting her the final available seat on the airline. Making matters even better, it was a first-class seat.
Myrle Roach, a Montserrat author, poet and pageant organizer who now resides in the UK, worked with Edna briefly at Montserrat Aviation Services. She recalled a significant moment.
“Edna’s son Lee and my son Damien were friends and in the same class together,” Myrle said. “When my son passed away at age 10 Lee sang at his funeral. Edna’s words of comfort – plus Lee’s rendition – helped me get through a very difficult time.”
Edna relocated to England in 1998 and spent her final years in Ruislip, West London. She famously returned to Montserrat in 2012 for the 50th anniversary of Montserrat Festival and was honored along with other Festival icons January 2, 2013 at the Montserrat Cultural Center. She was regal as usual.
“My mother was elegant in her poise and character and she exuded class,” Delbert said. “She was always concerned about how she looked whenever she was going out.”
Asked about Edna’s parenting style, Delbert said: “She was a disciplinarian and she always looked out for the best for her children.”
An online memorial page was set up shortly after Edna’s passing. Several people left messages of condolences and reflections. One of the posts came from Sharon Edwards-Nicholas.
“When I think of Mrs. Edna Baptiste, the first thing that comes to mind is her radiant smile. It was more than a facial expression, it was a beacon of kindness and joy that made you feel instantly welcome. She was dearly loved and will be fondly remembered.”
Montserrat’s first queen has taken her final bow.
The tiara has been replaced by a halo.
“My mother was elegant in her poise and character and she exuded class.
Delbert Baptiste, on mom Edna Baptiste (above)
Note: Edna Baptiste’s funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, November 21, 2025, at Sudbury Methodist Church, 809 Harrow Rd., Wembley, Middlesex HAO 2LP. The interment takes place at noon at Northwood Cemetery.
