Marguerite was a pillar at St Patrick’s, Legion of Mary

St Patrick’s, Newtown parishioner Marguerite Rosario Escalante died Sunday, September 27. She was 96 years old. Fellow parishioner Beatrice Beddoe-McShine pays tribute.

On Sunday, September 27, the parish of St Patrick’s, Newtown was very saddened to hear of the passing of Marguerite Rosario Escalante, one of our oldest parishioners.

In 1965, I moved to Woodbrook and joined the Legion of Mary at St Patrick’s, having previously been a member at the parish of St Francis, Belmont. It was in this setting that I met Marguerite Escalante, well-dressed as she had just come from work at the Port of Spain City Corporation.

Indeed, she was always very meticulous about her appearance. She once told me, “When one goes to church, you dress for a party – no straps and properly covered!”

Marguerite encouraged many to attend the devotions her parish church offered. She visited the sick and shut-ins and was a choir member. She passed on her devotion to the rosary to her nephews and nieces.

Her nephew, Fr Ricardo Escalante stated in her eulogy that “Aunty Marguerite made sure we attended Mass and made our First Communion and Confirmation.” They all loved her dearly.

Her commitment to the Fatima devotion was steadfast. As some parishioners were unable to walk the hill, she hired a bus to take them all. During my visits to her at Dee’s Senior Citizens Home she would always ask, “How is St Patrick’s and Father Charles? I hope they are not giving him trouble!”

On September 8, 2020, Marguerite received her Blessed Eucharist on the 86th Anniversary of the Legion of Mary. She later told me that she was one of the first members and held the post of the President of the Regia for six years.

On Friday, October 9, Marguerite was given a special send-off at her parish church, St Patrick’s, at which Fr Herbert Charles CSSp officiated. Fr Charles spoke of Marguerite’s great devotion to the Church.

The meditation hymn The Rosary was sung by Angela Joseph who joined the choir at age nine. Marguerite’s dear nephews bore her up and her niece Maria delivered the First Reading.

On the night of Thursday 8, a few parishioners gathered to say the rosary and the Legion of Mary Tessera (prayer card).

On leaving, one of the ladies said, “Marguerite is one of the last Poteau de L’eglise” – Pillar of the Church. And she was indeed, an active, upright, highly respected church member.

May the souls of our departed Legionaries and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.