The mother of former Governor Kenneth Mapp, Vashti Hewitt Mapp, has passed, the territory’s former leader confirmed to The Consortium today. She was 90 years old.
Mrs. Hewitt Mapp, during her prime years, worked for the Government of the Virgin Islands at the Juan F. Luis Hospital for 25 years, serving in the Neonatal Unit as a licensed practical nurse. “She always took care of the babies that were born with challenges,” Mr. Mapp said of his mom.
In her old age, she suffered with dementia, which the former governor said affected her independence. As she grew older, she suffered with minor strokes. Even so, “She had great caregivers before, during and after I was governor,” Mr. Mapp said.
Mrs. Hewitt Mapp was receiving care in Brighton Gardens in Tampa, Florida. “My brothers and I made the decision to put her in a wonderful place that works with memory disease issues.”
While the family was preparing themselves for the eventuality of her death, “we weren’t expecting this news today,” Mr. Mapp said.
Mrs. Hewitt Mapp will be brought home to be laid to rest with deceased members of the Hewitt family on a portion of the family’s estate designated to bury members, according to the former governor.
Governor Albert Bryan expressed condolences. “We are saddened by the passing of Mrs. Vashti Hewitt Mapp and extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolence to the entire Mapp and Hewitt Family circle. We celebrate Mrs. Hewitt Mapp as a matriarch and as an embodiment of strength and grace. We also celebrate her as the mother of a former governor of our islands and others in public service leadership roles. We ask the Virgin Islands community to join us in prayer for her family, friends and loved ones during this time,” Mr. Bryan said.
Feature Image: Vashti Hewitt Mapp. (Credit: Governor Kenneth Mapp)
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