“SHE had a smile that was wider than the Atlantic Ocean,” was how Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) secretary Shanomae Nichola Blackmore was remembered yesterday, during her funeral ceremony at the St James-the-Less Anglican Church, David Street, Kitty.Blackmore, who died at home on March 18, was interred at the cemetery of the church yard, following a moving ceremony before a packed church. With over 10 years as a sports administrator, Blackmore, the daughter of former AAG president Claude Blackmore, was an admired official.
In her job as the GOA secretary, Shanomae interacted with many sports stakeholders from the various sporting disciplines, many of whom were present yesterday to pay their final respects to the ever-jovial Blackmore.
Her death has truly had an impact on us. I can only hope that we can find someone who can fit her shoes to replace her,” Aubrey Hutson, AAG president said yesterday as he paid tribute to Blackmore.
He recounted receiving condolences from several international officials including condolences from the world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)
”As president I never hoped that this would be one of the duties I would have to perform. Myself and the rest of the athletics community, from the president of the IAAF to the athletes have really felt this loss. Shanomae truly touched everyone’s lives.”
Offering condolences on behalf of the GOA was Honorary Life Member, Ivor O’Brien, who also noted the shock and surprise that came with Blackmore’s passing.
I received the message of Shanomae’s death via a telephone call. It was indeed a shocker.” O’Brien expressed.
O’Brien recalled the dedicated individual that Shanomae Blackmore was, speaking of how well thought of she was by all who knew her.
“Despite her youth, history will know her as a true disciple of the Olympic faith. As I followed the emails of condolences that flooded the system, Shanomae was described as friendly, helpful, pleasant, full of life, amazing, compassionate, asset to the sports fraternity and hard-working, among others. To those, I will add ambitious and efficient. Shanomae was at all times an effervescent and intelligent person.
She applied herself assiduously to her duties, and was always willing to work long and punishing hours without supervision or complaint. Fortitude and determination were essential ingredients of her character.” O’Brien said.
Eulogy for Shanomae was done by her brother Anthony Blackmore and her God sister Kriz Glasgow, while the Homily was done by Rev. Canon Evan Semple.