Eurene "Maggie" Saunders

Eurene "Maggie" Saunders Age: 95 Years of North Blanket Sound Andros, 
complete her earthly walk of this life at the Rand Memorial Hospital, 
Freeport Grand Bahama on Wednesday, September 07, 2022.

Sunday, February 27, 1927 was a joyous day for Ella and William Woodside 
when their first daughter Eurene 'Maggie" was born in the quiet settlement 
of Stafford Creek, Andros Island, The Bahamas.

Maggie's entry into the world came during some very tough and hard times. 
In 1927, the world was repairing itself from the First World War and reeling 
from the great depression and while stuck in a recession that lasted for decades. 
Our own islands of The Bahamas were very underdeveloped, scattered and unconnected. 
Transportation was done mostly by sailboats and sponging and fishing were 
the major industries. Settlements were connected by foot paths along the shore. 
There was no electricity and your light came either from a pine soaked log or a fire outside. 
In most settlements there was no potable water, no pump or tap water. 
Communication was only done through face-to-face as there were no land lines 
and definitely no cell phones. Adding to this, the 1920's is remembered in The Bahamas 
for the incredibly strong hurricanes that, until Dorian in 2019, held the record for intensity, 
duration and immense destruction to both land and sea resources. 
As a young toddler Maggie and her family lived through the great hurricane of 1929 
which devastated both the islands of New Providence and Andros.

Many families lost relatives who perished on the Sponging flats and on the sailboat the Pretoria 
which sank coming into Fresh Creek Harbour. Maggie's family was no different, with the entire 
settlement underwater, no help coming, and no food. "It was almost too hard", Maggie would 
often share! It was also a time when the future was dimmed by the death of the sponging, much 
of the fishing grounds and means of connection with the world – the boats were either sunk or destroyed.

Maggie's early childhood was really one of dismal poverty, although Maggie always said with 
great pride that her daddy and mother made sure to keep their family together and food 
was always on the table. While they didn't have beds or sheets or blankets, they each had 
a crocus sack 'to push their foot in to sleep' and they made a great pillow out of the nice 
long grass on the edge of the pond. It was tough, and still she gave thanks for the blessings sent. 
With her parents toiling day and night to put food on the table, as the eldest, a female and a 
product of her time, Maggie had a different job to do and its importance prohibited her ability 
to attend school. Maggie knew that her work and the work of her parents was not in vain. 
She never complained or wished for something else which she didn't have. She was amazing like that. 
Always she understood that it was her God knowing what he was doing. And it was well. 
She gave thanks for being able to toil and 'to put food on the table' and to be dutiful! 
Her loyalty was unwavering!

Education has always been important to Woodsides and they made sure most of their children 
received an education and/or a trade. Maggie was not one of the children able to attend school though. 
Never once did she ever express regrets that her life was not so enhanced by education. 
Maggie went on to become one of our greatest educators of our time as her lessons were 
tailored to each individual need. Despite her inability to receive a formal education, 
she understood the importance of it and the opportunities it provided. Resulting in her ensuring 
that her children and grandchildren all received an education. Maggie was so proud of their 
accomplishments as she often boasted of their successes. In June 2022, she attended the 
high school graduation of her "twenty-dollar girl", Jayden's graduation.

In the late 1940's, upon his return from working the contract and seeing the world, 
Maggie Woodside caught the eye of her late husband Israel 'Bubba' Saunders. 
Bubba was a handsome, dapper bachelor from 'Big Pond' North Blanket Sound. 
He wooed Maggie and after a brief pursuit they were married. He knew he was 
blessed with her as a wife and in fact her steadfastness was his greatest blessing. 
He knew this as well… and he often declared he got 'the best woman in the 
whole of Andros!'. It is hard to disagree.

It wasn't long before the union produced nine biological children: Leona, Edgebert, Samuel, 
William, Ishmael, Margaret, Cyrano, and sadly two stillbirths. However, she was the mother 
of all things and people. Maggie raised many of her nieces and nephew, grandchildren, 
great grandchildren and community children. We were always amazed as to how Maggie 
made the small "clapboard" structure feel like a bountiful mansion. Maggie and Bubba did 
all they could to ensure that there was 'food on the table'. While there was a time when both 
Maggie and Bubba worked at the lumber camp - Owens Illinois Company, situated up 
Stafford Creek working for others helped but it was their ability to manage the 
land and the sea that sustained them.

Gifted as a fisher and a farmer, Maggie/Mom spent all she had so others could live. 
She always gave when she knew there was a need, sometimes mutually agreed 'drop spots' 
were arranged for later picking up by those more challenged than herself especially for the 
children! Suffer the little ones to come on to her… 
She loved children and they loved her - unconditionally!

Where food was concerned, she never ever said no if she had it, just ask. She learnt early on 
how to make one fish stretch among the many! Everything she touched grew. She knew the 
value of her gift and she shared it generously. Many (many) are beneficiaries of having her 
plan and plant food and trees in our yards! To see Maggie in her craft and utilization of 
her "cutlass" was an amusement like no other. Maggie's work ethics and vast skills birthed 
her community nickname "Workie".

Maggie was also an artist and a prayer warrior. She never failed sharing her greatest gift, 
keeping us all in her daily prayers! Yes, she called everyone by name. We watched these 
prayers grow as her family grew, growing from half an hour to two to three hours! I
n the words of Maggie, "these prayers kept my friends over gallons of water". 
Maggie was also a lover of her church, The New Highway Pentecostal Church of God 
under the leadership of her late Pastor Nathaniel Curtis. Here she served and attended 
some forty plus years. Right up to the time before her demise Maggie spoke of her love 
and commitment to her church and Pastor Curtis.

Maggie's duty to her young children and Bubba's blind mother and so many others often 
left her toiling on her own, while Bubba did his best to bring food home, she kept the 
household going. As the young family grew and the needs were greater, Maggie did what 
she could to ensure there was food on the table. For a little bit of time she ran a little 'shop' 
of sorts and she forever was looking for a place to plant food. She planted fields and began 
to build their little home on the ridge, and she put to use the great skills she had acquired 
as a young girl. She stretched her bounty and she shared it with all in need – from her mother, 
she learnt to stretch a fish to feed the multitude.

Maggie was a marvel not only on land but also at sea. Before the coming of an engine, 
Bubba had met his match with Maggie in the boat! Like her parents before her, 
she too was a master fisher - using hand lines; and she was a master conch-er and crawfish-er 
using the water glass and her 'grains'. And yet she could not swim! This is a skill and treasure 
she taught most of her children and grandchildren, and the wonderful part of this is that these 
are sustainable skills and talents almost lost.

Maggie's determination and intentions when she went to sea matched her determination 
when she tended her land. For her it was all done with a deep sense of gratitude and purpose 
that she was able to keep "food on the table!". Some days this meant sculling all the way to 
Ganzy Sound or to Rat Cay from 'Big Pond', and back home again. It also meant when Bubba 
had a small sailboat she would sometimes go to Nassau, docking at Woodes Rodgers Wharf to 
sell some of what she had grown or caught, or plaited. And, of course to be able to ensure the money. 
She stretched this to buy that next pound of two pence nails, pay her child's school fee, or get a 
new grains, or maybe sugar, rice and wheat flour and once in a while a new pair of shoes for 
someone to replace the rubber tire handmade sandals she made for herself and her family. 
We could hear her say "little is much when God is in it".

Maggie was in a league of her own! She knew hard times and she knew they 'are coming again!". 
Maggie, now a mom, may have been without a formal education, however she had learnt, 
not first-hand, as a student, rather as witness, as to how education and support enhanced lives. 
She wanted to ensure that they got an education and a profession or trade. She was resolute. 
Her children would have an opportunity to be the best they could be. As parents, neither 
she nor Bubba wavered in their commitment to their children and this extended to her 
grandchildren and her great grandchildren and others! She adored her offspring and her 
little nation she had built. She often told them… She wants the best. She expected it and 
knew that with her God it would happen. She was very proud of them.

In her living, and in her sharing and growing and feeding so many of us – her reach was far, 
she not only fed the many from her toils she also was a wonderful patient teacher who taught 
many skills to many of us. She was an expert on so much and she was sought out by several 
university professors and classrooms that visited to learn about sustainable farming and crops 
she planted and she was a master at making bush medicine!

You were blessed if you were able to sit at her feet and have her 'learn you'. 
You were blessed if you ever had the opportunity to spend time living with her. 
It's a triple blessing if you were able to plant, fish, crab or collect the medicine 
bush and the specific firewood for cooking at specific temperatures and times on the fire hearth. 
You certainly were blessed if you ever had a chance to eat out of her pot, or have a piece of her 
hand kneaded bread, or her value added cassava bread or potato bread!

Even though it was hard living in the early days, Maggie was forever grateful. 
She never missed an opportunity to thank God for everything. She would often point out 
what a mighty long way the Lord brought her… as now she can have chicken and steak! 
She never questioned it. It was the hand she was dealt and she gave deep thanks - for it all. 
Her connection to her Lord and Saviour was her greatest gift. Her commitment to her God 
was unshakable, seen in her daily actions. If you had Maggie bless you with her prayers, 
you know that you were covered.

Maggie was our earthly angel! She loved seeing her loved ones succeed. Her role was to be 
the food, both for the belly, and the soul and to show each of us, in her deeds and, through 
the Lord's word, how to live in gratitude and thankfulness.

Maggie was Love In Action. You never heard her speak ill of another, even when confronted 
with issues that hurt her, or when someone would destroy her cane patch. There were many 
times when mommy turned the other cheek. Now she was not stingy with her advice, and 
never held back on what she needed you to change or do. Some would even say that she never 
spared the rod even if she felt it necessary. Maggie believed that if you only knew the Lord, 
and followed his words, you would find a way. This was something she practiced all her life… 
and she was so grateful for it. Her sound advice was never lost and was always helpful: 
Manners and Respect for all; giving honour where honour is due; honouring your mother 
and father so that your days may be long; and giving thanks was sound advice. 
'Why worry when you can pray' was one of the best and was always the advice needed 
to help sooth us in troubled times.

As mom aged and her sight faded, then getting her sight back after having 
her cataracts removed, was a wonderful gift and it gave her so many more 
happy years in her yard and in her house on the hill. She even took to traveling 
now and then! Although still strong, in the last three years or so mom slowed up a little and 
her daily beach walks became a fond memory. Sadly, the Pandemic and isolation it brought 
was very hard on her. Being in her yard had kept her strong, and not being able to go out, 
including to her yard, was very difficult for her. She worried about the world, and about her 
children and her grandchildren growing up in a world that seemed to have forgotten about 
how to live in peace and with love for each other.

Still in 'perfect' health, Mom lost some of her drive. She came to Nassau 
in late spring with some health issues. After regularizing her pills for a slight 
heart anomaly she returned home to her Andros to rescue her harvest and, 
until she left to go to Freeport on Saturday, August 20, 2022, she was still 
harvesting and sending her boxes of goodies to town!

Sanctioned by 'her Baby' Cyrano, Maggie, with her daughter Margaret went 
to Grand Bahama. Mario, Maggie's heart string and dutiful grandson, 
accompanied her. She went to be with her eldest son Charlie and family. 
She looked forward to seeing him and her little Grand Bahama nation. 
And as the Lord allowed, on her visit she had the awesome opportunity 
to fellowship with her younger brother Gabriel who she had raised and 
when a young man had left Andros for fame and fortune settled decades ago in Grand Bahama. 
She had not seen him for a long while! What a joyful meeting that was!

While in Grand Bahama Mom's prayers and songs of Psalms were plentiful. 
Perhaps they were answered. She had many conversations with her Lord and in them she 
reminded the lord that it was she, 'his daughter Maggie', and in great faith she asked him 
'to work it out for her'. She did as she always has and left it in his hands. He worked it out.

Maggie's heart stopped the morning of September 7th, 2022. She went home 
to her Lord and Saviour. She is with him now. She is at peace. And, if you listen carefully 
you can hear her say… "I am yours. Thank you, Lord! Thank you".

Our loss is immense. She will live on in all our hearts! Never to be forgotten.

Eurene is preceded in death by her:
Devoted Husband: Israel "Bubba" Saunders;
Father: William Woodside;
Mother: Ella Woodside;
Adopted Mother: Albertha "Mama" Newton;
Adopted Father: Pastor Nathaniel Curtis;
Son: Samuel Saunders;
Daughter: Leona Saunders;
Brothers: Hexton and Everette Woodside;
Sisters: Minerva "Pet" Knowles, Rebecca and Alva Woodside;

The Radiance of this "Amethyst of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of her:
Seven Sons: Edgebert (Winifred), William (Sonia), Ishmael, Cyrano Sr. and 
Wolly Saunders, Alex Blackwell and Pete Davidson;
Three Daughters: Margaret Saunders, Margo Blackwell and Linda Wallace (Kirk)
Three Adopted Daughters: Heather, Margarite Colebrook and Denise Sears,
Thirty-Two Grandchildren: Minister Mario Burrows (District Elder Princess), 
Mario, Cyrano Jr., Kaelin, Bill, Krispin, Charles Jr. (Neshann), Leslie Jr., Ethel, Rebecca, 
Levette, Angelica, Shelby, Eurene, Brittney, Gaby, Tanae and Toynell Saunders, Ricardo Cargill, 
Antonio Brennen, Lincoln Storr, Junior Roberts, Travette Pyfrom, Danielle Blackwell-Brown (Marvin), 
Lauren Blackwell-Russell (Raynaldo), Yvonne Fox (Andre Sr.) Kadra and Latoya Storr, 
Jessica Miah (Prince), Tanya, Royanne and Catherine Wallace and Shanell Reckley;
Forty-Eight Great Grandchildren: Shane, Arianna and Drew Bell, Mario McPhee, 
Janice and Jayden Burrows, Raia and Emi Cargill, Donovan Woodside, Kobe and Kovan Miah, 
Raquell and Tori Storr, Davonya Conyers, Marinae, Coa, Renajh, Kayleigh and Raynn Saunders, 
Abigail, Andre Jr. and Ava Fox, Jaylenn Missick, Renylah Swain, Kayari-Snow Saunders, 
Kameel and Kathrina Cartwright, Mirage Jones, Diamond Cox, Vanikah Evans, 
Shandrea Sawyer, Karen, Kay'lee Miller, Kendria Prosper, Thompson, Alex Riley, 
Ari'ella McIntosh, Kiara Cooper, Leslie, Jovanka, Aaliyah, Leslie Jr. and Cattleya Aranha, 
Coltonique Ferguson, Kendall, Samari and Alex Brown and Siraya Russell; 
Seven Great, Great Grandchildren: Dreyden Bell, London and Brooklyn Barr, 
Kaidden and Kentli Olanrewju, Shaddae Albury and Alexia Riley;
Three Sisters: Ena Saunders, Roselda Fountain and Esther Woodside;
Two Brothers: William and Gabriel Woodside;
Twenty-Four Nephews: Mark and Carlton Scott, Harold, Edwin and Michael Fountain, 
Andrew, Franklyn, Stephen, Patrick, Joel, Cecil, Peter, Sherlin and Samuel Woodside, Patrick, 
Christopher, Tyrone, Robert, Kenny, Charles, Carl, William and Pastor Henry Knowles and Davaro Saunders;
Twenty-Five Nieces: Diane Taylor, Rose Hodges, Margaret, Joyce Roberts, 
Dominique Ricketts (of Fort Lauderdale Florida), Sheryl and Laurie Fountain, Sheena Bowleg, 
Ella, Betty, Karen, Maylene, Yvonne Dames, Caroline, Helen, Carolyn, Arlene, Edna, Claudia, 
Kathy, Jennifer, Unetta, Patrice, Margaret and Elizabeth Woodside.
One Son-in-law: Jethro Storr;
Godchildren: Ellen Newton (Former Administrator), Pastor Katie Newton-Saunders, Sandra, James Sands;
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Pastor Olive Curtis, Adline Fowler, 
Orthnell (Gubba) Colebrooke, Merley Conyers, Casper (Ghost) Fowler, Margaret Riley, 
Alma Scott, Rebecca Newton, Una Sweeting Shirley Brown, Steve Hanna, Nurse Penny Evans, 
Max Roberts, Leroy Hanna, Zelma Saunders, Richard Deal, Chris, Lorraine, Tanya, Elvis and 
Anarose Reckley, Orthlin Woodside, Jeff Birch, Peter Douglas, Andrew Taylor, Patricia Bell, 
Pastor Dorinda Dean, Tina Lightbourne, Melanie Gibson, Leanora Prosper, Karen Sands, 
Vantesha Rolle, Sharon Brennen, Abby Smith, Mr. Leonard Lightbourne and their families. 
The Scott, Woodside, Reckley and Brookes families, The New Highway Pentecostal Family, 
Mennonites, Member of Parliament for North Andros and the Berry Island, Forfar Field Station Family, 
Fresh Creek Community Clinic, Randolph Holding, Love at First Sight Family, 
Former Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister and Family, Rex Rolle and the Western Air Families, 
G&S and Family, The Small Hope Bay Family, Prescott/Stafford Creek Bonefish Lodge and Family, 
The National Insurance Board Family (Andros), A & D Gaitors Equipment Rock & Sand 
and the entire communities on the island of Andros.