It was like yesterday... a light skin bubbly girl entered our 5th grade classroom wearing a blue and white tunic uniform. She stood out, as the rest of the girls were wearing green and white plaid uniforms, the required and designated uniform for West Indies College Prep School(WICPS). However, this young bubbly girl was not phased or bothered by external trappings. She was present and ready to learn. Her radiant smile and effervescent laughter were infectious. Although full of joy and laughter, she could easily switch to a no nonsense mode... she was a nonsense girl ( one classmate (anonymous) testifies quiet often of feeling the wrath of Gloria's heavy hand across his cheek after what he deems passing his place with her later on in high school).
The WICPS graduating class of 1984 matriculated to West Indies College High. There we spent 5 glorious years together in 1y, 2y, 3y,4S and 5S classrooms.We literally sat beside each other in every class throughout high school. While being friends with just about everyone, a core group of friends was formed. Gloria, Camille, Carla and I. We could be seen together everywhere... literally everywhere once on the school campus until we left for home...whether in the classroom, walking on campus,in the hallways, or in cafeteria line buying the bun for breaktime or by West Café buying patties and cocoa bread or in the library doing research or cheering for the same house at house matches or on sports day (still trying to figure out how we all ended up in the same house for sports day), or occasionally hanging out in Mandeville (rare, well planned and time accounted for to our parents) when we were on vacations from school.
Gloria was not an idle guester and her parents made sure she was kept on the straight and narrow path. I vividly remember Gloria coming to school stressed because her mom caught her singing (and she could sing... just like her mom) one of Whitney Houston 's song... "Saving All My Love for You". Her mom waited until she got to the lyrics in the song that said" for tonight is the night..." you know the rest. Mrs Campbell asked her " What are you planning to do tonight and with whom?". Poor Gloria was as innocent as a spotless lamb and was just singing the song. Her mom reminded her of the importance of what we listened to and sang. Ofcourse, Gloria brought the sermon to school and preached it to us.
Gloria as a great cook and excellent baker... She was taught well by her mom and at school by Mrs. Townsend and Mrs.Burnett, the then Home Economics teachers. I could hardly wait to sample the food the rest of the core group made each week.
After high school we eventually went our separate ways,but still stayed in contact with each other through letters, texts , phone calls or visits.
At the advent of What'sApp, Gloria would be on autopilot sending out premade thoughts every day. I was appreciative,BUT I had to remind her that the regular text messages were sufficient for me. Lol. She resorted to that and we got back on track to regular programming. She was always asking about the wellbeing of my family and relatives. I too would get updates on her parents especially after they were in need of her constant care.
Gloria was a friend for all seasons. She didn't wait on special occasions to text or to call. I will surely miss her texts and calls. We last exchanged thoughts on her birthday this year. I sent her flowers and a balloon via a gif and wished her happy birthday . She was appreciative. On July 15 @7:22 pm I called her phone but got no response. Little did I know that June 02, was a goodbye chat.
Gloria Panchetta Campbell will be greatly missed
Gloria, the friend. Gloria, the confidant, Gloria ,the singer, Gloria, the no nonsense person. Gloria, the caring caregiver. Gloria, the bubbly girl who walked into my life in the blue and white tunic uniform in 1983 has walked out in 2025.
I, along with the core group and all her friends from Prep School into High School into University await the grand reunion...it may just be tomorrow.
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