ST. THOMAS — Raphune Hill on Tuesday was renamed in the honor of culture bearer, educator and community activist the late Dorothy Lockhart Elskoe, an event that was attended by a number of local dignitaries, among them Governor Albert Bryan.
The renaming celebrated Ms. Elskoe's "innumerable contributions to the people and community of the St. Thomas-St. John District and the entire territory," said Government House.
Mr. Bryan was joined in the tribute to Mrs. Elskoe by members of her family, including her surviving children – daughters Karolyn, Monica, Sandyl and Lori, and son Glenn – as well as Lt. Tregenza A. Roach Esq., Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel, Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory and members of the 34th Legislature and many friends and extended family whom Dotsy influenced throughout her life.
Mrs. Elskoe’s husband of 71 years, Winthrop Elskoe, was not at the ceremony but was celebrating his 100th birthday on Tuesday, Government House said.
Among her many achievements, Mrs. Elskoe was one of the organizers of the revival of the territory’s Carnival in 1952, which also was the year she started her career as an elementary school teacher. She also held several positions in government agencies, civic organizations, the Democratic Party, and she was a devout Catholic, a superb cook and a patron of the territory’s children, Gov't House said.
Mrs. Elskoe was honored for her cultural and civic involvement in 1994 by the 20th Legislature, and former Senator Myron Jackson, as a member of the 33rd Legislature, sponsored a bill to name Raphune Hill, where she lived for 60 years, in her honor.
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