Hazel Simmons-McDonald

The Honourable Hazel C. M. Simmons-McDonald Ph.D.; OBE.; SLC,
a kind and generous soul, loving wife and mother, Professor Emerita of the University of the West Indies, and former Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of UWI Open Campus, left this mortal plane on Sunday June 8th, 2025.
Devoted Daughter of the late Agnita and Allan Simmons
Niece of the late Eldra Joseph, Bertha Florence, George, Richardson, and Nicholas G.F. Taylor
(Former High Commissioner of the Eastern Caribbean in the UK); Lynn Simmons-Walker,
Harold (Artist and inventor of the arts and creole culture in St. Lucia), Lancelot, and Sir Ira
Marcus Simmons (Former Governor General of St. Lucia); Reginald and Sir Fredrick Clarke (Former Governor General of St Lucia); Una Francis; and Margaret Boodha. Beloved Wife of Patrick E. McDonald
Loving Mother of Patrick A., Christian M., and Kathleen A. McDonald
Grandmother of Princeton and Patton McDonald
Sister of Cyril Henrietta (Babsie) King, Jean Shillingford, Noreen Lansiquot-Newton, Harry
Martyr, and the late Sydney, Alnita, and Dudley Simmons
Aunt of Lyndel Archibald, Lisa Williams, Shirlene Simmons-James, Alana, David, and Michael Simmons, Brendan and Jamie Shillingford, and the late Ashley King
Mother-in-law of Debbie McDonald
Godmother of Ian Nathaniel and Christine Harvey
Relative of the Simmons, Taylor, Walker, Clarke, Francis, and Boodha families, in Barbados, Saint Lucia, Costa Rica, the United States of America, and Canada Friend to many.

A mass celebrating the life of the late Hazel C. M. Simmons-McDonald will take place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral on Wednesday July 2nd 2025 where relatives and friends are asked to gather at 9:30am. No photography by special request. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul would be graciously accepted in Hazel’s honour. A private cremation will take place at a later date.

The family invites you to view the live streaming of the service; to view, please click here

The event is ongoing.

Date

Jul 02 2025
Ongoing...

Time

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Local Time

  • Timezone: America/Jamaica
  • Date: Jul 02 2025
  • Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Location

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral
Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Bay Street, Bridgetown, Barbados

Funeral Director

Russell Griffith
Russell Griffith
Phone
(246) 426-4170
Email
funerals@lyndhurstfuneralhome.com
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4 entries.
Drs. John and Angela Rickford Drs. John and Angela Rickford wrote on July 1, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Dr. Hazel Simmons-McDonald, especially her sorrowing husband Patrick McDonald, their children Patrick Allan, Christian and Kathleen (John's God daughter).

With Hazel's passing, the Caribbean has lost one of its brightest lights, who achieved so much in academia as a linguist and educator, but also as an artist, and writer/publisher of fiction and poetry. She was elected to International Honorary Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2023, joining the distinguished company of others like Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Jawaharlal Nehru, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Pablo Picasso. She will be sorely missed.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Professor Emeritus Andrew S Downes Professor Emeritus Andrew S Downes wrote on July 1, 2025 at 1:48 pm
The passing of the Honourable Professor Emerita Hazel Simmons-McDonald was indeed a great shock to me. We last saw each other at the funeral service for Professor Emeritus Pedro Welch and I remarked about her youth look. But such is life. Hazel was a very dear colleague for whom I had the deepest respect and admiration. She was a very able administrator and very pleasant and cheerful person. It was always a joy to work with her when we were both Pro Vice Chancellors at the UWI. Our last assignment was post-retirement, when we were asked to serve on a CXC committee to review the administration of the 2020 CSEC and CAPE examination. As chairperson of the committee, Hazel ably managed the process and the report was readily accepted by all parties. Hazel certainly had a lot more to offer to us but her enormous talent is needed elsewhere.
On behalf of my family, I extend deepest condolences to Patrick (her very supportive husband), her children and other family members. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues.
Bon voyage my dear friend and colleague.
Grace Bible Church Grace Bible Church wrote on July 1, 2025 at 10:22 am
To the family of the late The Honourable Hazel C. M. Simmons-McDonald, PH.D., OBE, SLC, we extend our deepest sympathies to you during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
ROBERT LEYSHON ROBERT LEYSHON wrote on June 29, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Deepest sympathies to Patrick and family from Robert and Careen Leyshon
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