The island of St Lucia is in mourning as reports emerged

that cultural activist, educator and musician Denise Joyce Auguste was found

dead at her Marchland home in the capital Castries on Thursday (May 21).

The revered St Lucian was 76-years-old.

According to initial reports church members made their way

to Auguste’s home as they had not heard from her for close to three days. It is

believed that the respected organist, who lived alone, died of natural causes

as police have indicated that no foul play was suspected in her death.

Prime Minister Allen Chastenet has expressed his sadness at

Auguste’s passing, in a statement where he offered his condolences to the

extended family.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Ms. Denise

Joyce Auguste. As a nation, we note that her voice, her music and her overall

legacy live on. There are very few who could say their lives were not touched

by her contribution through musical education. Up until the very end she was

active in the church, a prayer warrior and active in music development. She was

always willing to go the extra mile and persevered always for excellence. She

will be remembered fondly and was loved by so many. She was a cherished and

valued friend of the family and was always passionate about sharing her advice

on how we could incorporate music into schools,” he wrote.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Ms. Denise Joyce Auguste. As a nation, we note that her voice, her music…Posted by

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Ms. Denise Joyce Auguste. As a nation, we note that her voice, her music…Posted by Allen Chastanet on Thursday, May 21, 2020

According to a tribute from the St Lucia Government

Information Portal, Joyce earned her Licentiate in Musical Education in 1967

and became the first music specialist in the then Ministry of Education and

Culture.

In that capacity, Auguste conducted extensive music

education in the island’s schools, developed special broadcasts and organised

music workshops.

“In the 1970s and 1980s she led the popular folk band

Hewanorra Voices which were instrumental in the resurgence of folk music.  Auguste has written extensively about music

and had several compilations including the well-known Saint Lucia Songs – A

Collection of Contemporary and Folk Songs (1984) and Oral and Folk Traditions

of Saint Lucia (1986),” the St Lucia GIS explained.

Turns out she wasn’t just a gifted musician, as Auguste was

well-known as a formidable netball athlete.

In 1969, she received the award for Sports Woman of the Year

and represented Saint Lucia regionally and internationally in the sporting

discipline.

In April 2000, Auguste was named in an Organisation of American States (OAS)

list of Outstanding Women of the Twentieth Century and was inducted into the

Hall of Fame for both Sports and Music.

“In between music and sports, Joyce Auguste also served as a

Justice of the Peace and Coordinator of various national activities including

the school rally for South African President Nelson Mandela’s historic visit to

the island,”

She is also credited with coordinating the Cultural

Programme during the Papal Visit to Saint Lucia in 1986.

In 1978 she received the singular honour of having her

photograph on the ten cent stamp of Saint Lucia. She is noted as the Pioneer of

the Festival of Carols and in 1988 became a Member of the Most Excellent Order

of the British Empire.  In 2017, she was

awarded Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.).