PPP’s Philomena ‘Fireball’ Shury dies; President hails her as ‘outstanding daughter of the soil’

Statement by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, on the passing of Philomena Sahoye- Shury:

It is with inexpressible sorrow that I learnt of the passing of Mrs. Philomena Sahoye- Shury. Her death has robbed me, the People’s Progress Party and Guyana of an exceptional human being who touched every life with which she came into contact.

I have enjoyed a long relationship with Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury. I considered her as family, friend, colleague and comrade. She along with my late grandmother were  in the vanguard of Guyana’s struggle for Independence . She was involved also in the struggle for the restoration of democracy and returned to help build a free and democratic Guyana.

Our country owes an eternal debt of gratitude to this outstanding daughter of our soil who was a fearless and formidable fighter in the struggle for freedom.

We were close associates within the People’s Progressive Party. I respect her and learnt from her. She was always willing to share her vast experience and wisdom with younger members of the party. She never shirked from leading by example when it came to political legwork.

I also worked with her in the Depressed Needs Committee of which she was a Co-Chair. Later, she would work within the Ministry of Housing when I was the subject Minister. I could always rely on her I respected her candidness. Her work has helped to transform communities across Guyana.

Guyana has lost an amazing human being. Our country is poorer for her passing. Her death diminishes us all. The poor and powerless has lost a true champion. But she will live on in our hearts as someone whose service was selfless beyond reproach.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Philomena Sahoye Shury – one of Guyana’s foremost warriors of freedom.