For in none of her many activities, missions and support functions was she ever just peripherally involved. She was always dedicated and committed to what she had taken on, and she took on so much, and did it all so well!
She was a television presenter, host and producer; she owned and operated her restaurant, “Veni Mange”; she was a Sister of Mercy to the homeless, a supporter and patron of the local arts and culture, a committed supporter of our sports, a dear friend and sympathetic supporter to those who were seeing troubled times and hardships; a lover of steelband (and to her “steelband” meant Desperadoes!), calypso, and an active participant in Carnival for years, including 2011. She was a raconteur of note and a limer extraordinaire!
And she was Family! It was here that her strength and quiet leadership came through, whenever there might have been a crisis, an illness or a death in the family.
And it was my privilege to be part of that Family, married to one of those four lovely sisters.
Allyson and Emmet did not have children, but she was a special influence upon her five nephews, two being my sons, and also upon a long line of “adopted nieces and nephews” whose lives were influenced by their relationships with Allyson.
And her influence was particularly strong in her insistence on truth, integrity, loyalty and decency in all that they did, and all whom she supported.
As a television presenter and host, she was meticulous in her research, and made each guest (and I was one of these from time to time) feel totally at ease as she controlled her programmes, maintaining correct grammar and beautiful elocution throughout.
But this is not to suggest that Allyson was not part of our vernacular when away from the microphones! I have seen, particularly this past week, the many accolades to her commitment and professionalism in this sphere — the most public sphere — of her life.
She was a trained chef, a Cordon Bleu, and it was only natural that she would open a restaurant: Thus was born Veni Mange, patois for “come eat,” in partnership with her sister Roses.
Veni Mange was the first restaurant to elevate local cuisine to an epicurean level. And the nation, and then the world, loved to meet and eat “at Veni.” Veni Mange is one of the few TT restaurants to have rave reviews in the New York Times and similar journals in UK and Europe.
The Veni Mange experience prompted moves in other untouched pastures. The first ever public all inclusive fete was created by Allyson, Roses and Friends, and for years was the only “all-inclusive” available. And theirs was the first fete where I ever saw tassa drumming in the party.
All of these things —upscale local cuisine restaurants, “all-inclusives,” and tassa groups in Carnival — are now fully integrated into our culture. So let us thank Allyson for that!
Although known for her love of and capacity to fete, Allyson, again with Roses, began their own “Mission” to deliver food to the homeless persons downtown. Veni’s kitchen prepared the food, and the sisters delivered it to the homeless and the hungry every Monday night. This was an act of genuine compassion, for most of us would have thought it easier to make a donation.
The family are sports lovers, and Allyson particularly loved and supported Carib Rugby Club, TT football, Windies cricket, Magnolias Hockey Club, plus athletics and cycling. Veni Mange became the place where you might meet the icons of sports, and wonderful people from the music, literary and art worlds.
She would promote the music and the paintings of new young artistes, the walls of Veni Mange becoming a continuing art display. Her love and support of our athletes and artistes was genuine and hands on, and those who have gone on to fame and fortune have never forgotten Allyson’s friendship and support.
Liming with Allyson was an absolute delight — if you could stand the pace! Her stories of escapades brought peals of laughter, but she never betrayed confidences, she protected her sources, and defended her friends.
In fact, she had the ability to cut you absolutely dead with one look should you unfairly attack any of “her” people, from the highest to the homeless.
Ally spoke her mind fearlessly, and when she criticised my writing, I took her comments to heart. On the rare occasion that she sent praise (she did not give this easily!) I treasured her comments.
The void in our lives is immense. Ally, there is an emptiness in our hearts.
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