Aneata Elene Alleyne

Aneata Elene Alleyne was born on 5th of April 1921, second child of Mr. & Mrs James Christopher Benn and Gwendolyn Alicia Benn, in the island of Barbados. The Union of James and Gwendolyn was not a happy one, so Gwendolyn with the help of her sister, Rosemund, migrated to the USA leaving Aneata and her brother in the care of their grandmother. Mom next saw her mother and physically touched her mother when she was already married with a family, as Gwendolyn had never returned to Barbados. Granny, mom's mother wrote letters frequently and they were always exciting boxes for Christmas, Easter and other times throughout the year. We, the family I think that Mom developed a sense of Independence, strongly believing that a woman could do anything that a man could do or achieve and that there was no specific job called "wife". Aneata had her Elementary education until what would now be considered a grade 9th year. She was recommended to become a pupil teacher, a form of teaching on-the-job training. Circumstances did not allow her to take up that opportunity and she became an excellent dressmaker and later also an equally competent hairdresser. Aneata also had an interest in the nursing area and was a voluntary member of the St John's Ambulance Brigade.

Aneata Elena and Gerald Acosta Da Silva Alleyne married on December 14, 1939. They had their own pet names for each other she called him Silva and he called Lene. Silva and Lene were devoted to each other and had five children: Andrea, Carlton (deceased), Patricia, Wayne and Cynthia. It was a happy household and a disciplined one. In 1945, Aneata and Andrea journeyed to Trinidad to join Silva who had migrated some months before. The next four children were born in Trinidad. In Trinidad, Aneata Elene continued her excellent dressmaking and became a hair dresser as well. The Alleyne family lived in Trinidad untill Aneata, Gerald and Patricia migrated to the United States in 1963. Carlton Wayne and Cynthia joined them in 1967.

In spite of the busy days and household mom somehow always found the time to indulge her passion for reading. She read everything: novels any kind of information book, sports academic, romance, detective and newspapers. She was a storehouse of knowledge on every topic and was quite bold and had no hesitancy about giving advice whether you asked for or not. She was known to lecture anyone about their health and had been invited a few times to talk to groups about diabetes. She had been diagnosed with diabetes in her late forties and followed a strict healthy diet from then. It worked!!. She lived to be almost 101 years old. Aneata Alleyne had a yen for knowledge and soon after her arrival in the US, she successfully completed the high school equivalency with excellent results. She pursued areas of study in the medical area and computers. One of her last jobs before retirement was as a recorder of surgical procedures for which she was commended. After the death of Silva in 1987 and Carlton in 1989. She returned to Barbados where she built a house and lived there for over 25 years. She travelled to New York every year spending the summer and fall months with Pat, Wayne and Cynthia. During her stay in Barbados, she was an active member of her church, the American Woman's Club and the senior citizens activity center organized by the Soroptomist Club.

Aneata has five grandchildren and seven great grands. She also had 21 + nieces and nephews.she also had several honorary grands. Covid and the difficulty of traveling these days have made it difficult for many persons to join us. Most of her generation have passed on or unable to travel. On hearing of Aneata's passing, one said" my second mother has gone". Mom was always ready to assist anyone facing difficulties. Growing up, we often had an unofficial foster child or young person living with us temporarily. She considered them part of the family and they have maintained contact with her over the years. Mom has lived a full life she faced challenges occasionally but we never had any doubts about her love and support. Her two sisters and brother preceded her in death. They had maintained a loving relationship writing to each other, visiting when possible and sharing family news. As dementia set in, life became difficult. We must focus on the happy memories, the good times. She did not want us to mourn. We must celebrate her life. We pray that God will welcome her into His kingdom. One of her favorite sayings was, "there is a place and time for everything". To end this eulogy we quote, Ecclesiastic Chapter 3 verses 1 to 8.

Also left to mourn her:
Grandchildren: Craig, Marissa, Reynaldo, Marilyn, Sasha

Great Grandchildren: Andre, Saniya, Tristan, Christopher, Mariya, Cameron

Daughter-in-law: Marcia Green-Alleyne