TWO scholarships honouring the memory of public relations doyenne Marcia Erskine were announced at the thanksgiving service for her life on Saturday afternoon.

Erskine’s daughter Roshal Marshall told mourners that the family will be endowing a $15-million Marcia Erskine Scholarship Fund that “will help create and educate the next wave of women journalists at The University of the West Indies” (The UWI).

The scholarship, she said at the end of an emotional tribute to her mother, will “honour her legacy of love, community, and mentorship”.

Noting the very special relationship she shared with her mother, Marshall said that her mother welcomed her chosen path in life with open arms.

“She prepared me, loved me, nurtured me and now she’s left me — and I miss her beyond reason,” she said, unable to hold back the tears.

“But I’m trying to take comfort in that, that all I have to do is miss her, and though the pain of her absence often feels overwhelming it pales in comparison to the gratitude to having known such an extraordinary woman. There are no regrets, only cherished memories and a legacy of love that will never fade because, in a way, she lives in me and Machel, in my children, in all who loved her and whose lives she touched,” Marshall said.

“Thank you for imprinting my life with your boundless love, wisdom and praise. I will love you forever, I will miss you forever. I wish we had more time together, but it was enough. Thank you for everything, mummy,” she said, tears flowing freely.

Further details of the scholarship were outlined in the funeral programme.

It said the scholarship, established in memory of Erskine’s remarkable contributions to journalism and public relations, “will provide full tuition for three years of studies at UWI, ensuring that talented and deserving female students have the opportunity to pursue their passion for journalism” empowering them “to make meaningful contributions to the media landscape of the Caribbean and beyond”.

The second scholarship was announced by Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) chairman and founder Gary Williams during his tribute in which he recalled Erskine’s influential role in the organisation as a board member.

“To honour her work and legacy, COJO will be presenting the Marcia Erskine Scholarship. The first presentation will take place at our upcoming scholarship awards luncheon next month,” he said.

More coverage of Marcia Erskine’s thanksgiving service on Pages 8, 9 & 10.