Cumbermacks celebrate golden anniversary

Gabriel and Kathleen Cumbermack received a papal blessing on their 50th wedding anniversary. The following edited speech was given at their celebration at Holy Cross Chapel, February 8.

This young couple met whilst labouring in the vineyard of education at the Curepe RC School on October 23, 1973. Their first date was a walk through the Botanical Gardens, on November 4. Five months later, on Easter Monday, April 15, 1974, at Fort George, Gabriel proposed. An official engagement occurred on November 4, 1974.

The big day was February 8, 1975. Fr Hilary Clarke, parish priest, and Fr Edward Michael Foley OP, Gabriel’s College principal and the person who planted the marriage seed, did the honours.

For Gabriel and Kathleen, it took 15 months from meeting to marriage. They took a longer time to be blessed with a son, Greig, in 1979 and a daughter, Gretia, in 1981. They now enjoy five grandchildren.

When asked about their first meeting, Gabriel recalls that when he recognised Kathleen as a fellow Arimian, he offered to show her around the school. After that, he dropped her to school every day and utilised the time to get to know her better. They had already touched hearts as, because of her, he went to the cemetery on All Souls’ night—something he had never done before.

Do not, for one minute, think that these two were always serious, steadfast, only working. Having come from fairly big families, (Gabriel had three and Kathleen had five siblings with the accompanying cousins), we can safely think there were serious, hilarious, prayerful, instructional and trying times.

After marriage, Gabriel became a brother, not a brother-in-law, in Kathleen’s family. When the family met for fun or serious discussion-making, they would take turns at sharing opinions.

Gabriel will have little to say but when asked what he thinks of his wife’s opinion, he would say with a smirk on his face: “My wife is perfect. She does nothing wrong. Ent, Honey?”

Both respected educators

At Malabar RC, the teachers who worked with Kathleen speak highly of her work ethic. For her, the children took pride of place. She was committed to her career by being regular, punctual, instilling discipline and spiritual values and prepared to deliver what it took to treat each child with justice that would allow him/her to find his/her niche in society.

One teacher said of Kathleen, “At first glance, she appeared strict but when you get to know her, her kindness exploded. She was sociable but not at the expense of the children’s time and education.”

Gabriel too exhibited the same type of caring for his charges. As a teacher of the post-Primary class, Gabriel realised the boys also needed to acquire life skills and took them to Toco where they learned  how to cook, make beds, and clean house. At another school, he brought them to his home on weekends where they learned some woodworking skills.

One colleague described Gabriel as an excellent leader, willing to do whatever it takes to serve. He recalled one night at Arima Boys’ RC when Gabriel stayed with the workmen trying to solve a problem with the toilets. When it was rectified after 2 a.m., Gabriel went home and returned to school as fresh as if he had slept for the whole night.

Gabriel motivated his staff to further their education to be qualified to enjoy the opportunities in the education system. He does not appreciate haphazard work, so when he advised one of his teachers to encourage her daughter, a trainee, to seek employment in another field because she did not manifest any teaching qualities, no one was surprised.

His students participated in sports for fun and competition, First Holy Communion, Corpus Christi, Children’s Carnival competitions and music festivals among others. Gabriel himself loves a good ‘lime.’ So much so that he formed an exchange with the teachers of Rosary Boys’, San Fernando Boys’, St Rose’s, and Arima Girls’. They enjoyed themselves and built camaraderie by playing football, telling jokes and singing till morning.

Gabriel also spent some time working in the Catholic Education Board of Management and the Ministry of National Security. Even after retirement, Gabriel continues to be involved in education. This time, he enjoys working with our teenagers in secondary schools. The focus is on ‘Youth Governance’ and ‘Youth at Risk’. Gabriel continues to use his extensive experience to inspire newly appointed school supervisors.

Gabriel and Kathleen, you have done well. Your family, relatives, colleagues, we here at Holy Cross, the Ministries of Education and National Security, the Catholic Board and all those whom you have helped and continue to help, must thank God for His presence in your marriage and for bringing you to this special day.

We pray that your joy will continue for many more years.