Nov. 1, 2006 – On Saturday the V.I. community will bid farewell to noted former educator Juanita Gardine, 94, who died over the weekend at a health care center in Nashville, Tenn.
Gardines distinguished career began in 1934 as an elementary school teacher. She later held positions as a high school teacher, acting assistant high school principal, junior high school principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent of education, association dean of a community college, and supervisor of educational statistics.
One of Gardines jobs was principal of the Christiansted Public Grammar School in Estate Richmond, which now bears her name Juanita Gardine Elementary School.
Gardine also worked as a social worker.
In a statement, Gov. Charles Turnbull offered condolences to Gardines family and described her as a noted Virgin Islands educator. Turnbull said that in recognition of all that she accomplished as principal of the grammar school, it was renamed in her honor in 1974.
Gardines husband, Cyprian A. Gardine Sr., died in 2002, also in October.
She is survived by her children, Dr. Cyprian Gardine Jr., Vicki Gardine Williams, Letitia Gardine Gittens, and Richard Gardine; sister, Valarie Delemos; stepsister, Liann Forbes Fischer; stepbrother, Robert Forbes; stepmother, Rita La Fontaine Forbes; sisters-in-law, Gertalin Bolling, Ruby OReilly, Edna Carpenter, Doris Gardine, Norma Glenn, Silva Martin and Asta Niles; brothers-in-law, Franz Delemos and Dr. James Glenn; daughter-in-law, Judithann Gardine; grandchildren, Earl Smith, Troy Smith, Jamelle Gardine Greene, Dr. Cyprian Gardine III, Kevin R. Gittens and Karl R. Gittens; great-grandchildren, Walter E. Gardine, Arthur B. Gardine; among others.
Gardine's family has planned a funeral ceremony for Saturday on St. Croix. Viewing will be at 9 a.m. at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Christiansted with interment at Frederiksted Cemetery following a funeral service scheduled for 10 a.m.
Arrangements are by James Memorial Funeral Home Inc.
