Following is the text of the letter sent by Archbishop Joseph Harris on July 22 to Erica Mapp and Paula Owolabi, daughters of the late Ursula Bleasdell:

“It was with a tremendous sense of sadness that I heard the news this morning of the death of your dear mother, Auntie Babsie Bleasdell. Unfortunately, I am travelling today to Rio de Janeiro to be present with the contingent of youth and young adults at World Youth Day 2013 and so will not be in Trinidad to be present at the funeral of Auntie Babsie. FUNERAL MASS PHOTOS

Auntie Babsie was responsible for leading so many of our citizens to the encounter with Christ and for helping them to build and maintain their union with our Divine Lord. I am certain that at her passing, she would have heard those blessed words, ‘Come good and faithful servant, enter into the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world…’ In fact, while it has been normal for me, when I get the news of someone’s passing, to pray for their eternal rest, this morning, almost spontaneously, I prayed that she would intercede for me and for this beautiful nation of ours.

Dear Erica and Paula, having had the experience myself, I know that losing a mother is never easy, especially a mother who has meant so much to you; but you can take comfort in the fact that Auntie Babsie, your mother, will live on in the minds and hearts of so many throughout this nation of ours and indeed in the world.

In the midst of our sorrow, we cannot help but sing praises of thankfulness to God for having given us such a woman.

May God bless you and know that you will be in my prayers.”

PRESS RELEASE FROM WORD OF LIFE COMMUNITY
Ursula Marie-Crescence Bleasdell (affectionately called “Aunty Babsie”) passed away peacefully at her D’Abadie Residence on Monday 22nd July 2013 at 6 am. Her health deteriorated with the death of Fr. Michael Moses and she has been bedridden for several weeks and cared for by Wilma Gill, house mother and her daughters Erica and Paula. Her funeral Mass will be held Friday July 26, at 2 p.m., at Santa Rosa RC Church, Arima

The Word of Life Prayer Community (WOLPC) at its Ave Maria House, 47 Green Street, Arima, will be having nightly prayers for the deceased at 7.00 pm for the next nine nights. A condolence book will be available at the community for the public to enter their personal comments.

May the angels escort her to the bosom of Abraham and may God’s peace and consolation remain with her family and Community she founded. WOLPC is the first ecclesial community in T&T. The last session of the Refurbishing of the Soul Seminar (July 26) will be postponed to the following week.

Ursula Marie-Crescence Bleasdell was born on June 15th 1921. She was 92 years old.