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MINISTER in the Office of the Prime Minister and Energy Minister Stuart Young testified that Lisa Morris-Julian, Minister in the Ministry of Education, had spurred on government ministers to perform at an even higher level than they otherwise would have done, especially when directly serving constituents.
Young, PNM chairman, paid tribute at a memorial service on December 19 at Balisier House, Port of Spain. Morris-Julian, D'Abadie/O'Meara MP, tragically died in a fire at her Arima home with two of her children on December 16.
Saying he had not stopped crying for her since her death, Young hailed her as the best the PNM and TT had to offer.
"Lisa would get you to do things you didn't want to do," he recalled. He fondly remembered Morris-Julian insisting he visit certain places as part of his duties.
Young recalled her personal support after a "little incident" involving him recently in Parliament, thought to be an allusion to the "hot mike" incident.
He said Morris-Julian was a selfless, pure, giving and genuine soul, who exemplified everything good. Young said she was very much a keyboard warrior who would rally the PNM troops behind the scenes.
He said since Morris-Julian's death, his phone had been inundated with calls from people at every level of the party including ministers, MPs and councillors all expressing the same fear. "Stuart, I don't know how I am going to deal without Lisa now."
People have told him, again and again, that when they were down, Lisa would lift them up. He related one person's words: "When I did not know how I would continue, Lisa would raise me up, sometimes with a buff."
Young paid tribute to Morris-Julian's family as her own support base and her mother Ann Morris for giving her daughter to TT.
[caption id="attachment_1127805" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Members of the audience listen to tributes to D'Abadie/O'Meara MP Lisa Morris-Julian at a memorial service in her honour hosted by the PNM's National Women's League at Balisier House, Port of Spain, on December 19. [/caption]
He urged her family members to continue what she had started by way of pubic service.
Young said all must carry on for Morris-Julian's sake and support her family.
Women's League chairman Camille Robinson-Regis was unavoidably out of the country but sent a heartfelt tribute read out by the league's Marilyn Lewis-Tobias.
Robinson-Regis hailed Morris-Julian as "a passionate warrior, true servant of the people and patriot" embodying the best of TT.
"Lisa made us better MPs just as she made the House of Representatives a better place and just as she made this country a better place for many."
She was also the lynch-pin of her own family, her colleague related.
Robinson-Regis said, "Lisa had no interest in conforming to some pre-packaged version of what an MP should be.
"Lisa was Lisa, no pretence, frank and up front, passionate and real." She was anchored in her deep principles, the minister related.
Robinson-Regis quoted author Ernest Hemingway to say Morris-Julian learned that each moment, each day and each choice was a test.
Recalling her punctuality and diligence in attending meetings of committees of Parliament, Robinson-Regis said, "She shared with me that she loved Parliament and being in the House of Representatives."
Robinson-Regis said, "Lisa was a friend and confidant. Somehow she always knew the right things to say and how to say it.
"Stuart, Randall, Kennedy, Symon, Marvin, Keith, Adrian and I loved her deeply and cherished her love and counsel."
Robinson-Regis said Morris-Julian truly sought to uplift her community and support education as a vehicle out of poverty.
[caption id="attachment_1127804" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Mourners sign a condolence book for D'Abadie/O'Meara MP Lisa Morris-Julian at a memorial service in her honour hosted by the PNM's National Women's League at Balisier House, Port of Spain, on December 19. [/caption]
"These were no mere words or pious platitudes with Lisa."
Robinson-Regis said, "Lisa and I shared a strong bond. We loved each other like blood family. I loved her as if she were my daughter, my sister.
She testified to Morris-Julian's love of her constituents and said she made time for their needs and wants.
Robinson-Regis said, "She harassed her colleagues to utilise their portfolios to make things better for them."
The minister said since Morris-Julian's death she had found herself questioning God and what lessons He wanted to be learned from the tragedy.
Robinson-Regis concluded, "What better way to honour Lisa's life of service than to follow her example to this country, to be willing to get into the arena and serve with one's heart."
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly gave an initial welcome to mourners. In the service Young and Communications Minister Symon de Nobriga led in the Recitation of the Rosary. Roman Catholic nun Sister Renee Hall and Pastor Pamela Ramcharan offered reflections on Morris-Julian's life and passing.
Saying people have been consumed by fear, anxiety and grief after Morris-Julian's death, Hall urged them to make time for silence and to reflect deeply and let themselves be touched by God. In this, she recalled the priest Zacharias being struck dumb by God when doubting he would father a child who would grow up to become John the Baptist, as she said we too have now been struck dumb, in line with the sentiments of the modern-day hash-tag, "No words."
Ramcharan quoted the Book of Ecclesiastes to say that to everything there is a season, but added, "It is not for us to know the times and the season."
She advised,"If we are to honour her memory, we need to live selflessly. She tried to help everyone.
"Let us rise up and build love. Let us rise up and build love, because that is what she did in the constituency of D'Abadie/O'Meara."
After the service, Newsday spoke to Morris-Julian's sister Charlene Anderson. Asked if the outpouring of love was any comfort to the family, she replied it was a great comfort.
"Lisa was the rock of our family, so this is just a really trying time for us.
"We don't know how we are going to be able to move on from here. But coming to events like this has been helpful. It has been overwhelming, but this (memorial service) has been very beautiful. So I really appreciate the ladies for putting this on."
Newsday said several mourners had said Morris-Julian's death felt surreal.
Anderson replied, "I keep waiting for her to text. It is like a living nightmare."
 
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