Zuleikah Rosemary Gaitor-Thompson

Zuleikah Rosemary "Zulie" Gaitor-Thompson Age 70 Years of #636 East Street South, 
was called to a fuller life at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday, January 27, 2010.

She was born at Bullocks Harbour the Berry Island, Bahamas on Wednesday, January 24, 1940. 
Zulie as she was called by family and friends; spent her early years with her sibling Rosita, 
Evangeline, Myrtle and Kermit at Wales Cay, The Berry Islands. She was home schooled, she 
was a bright, fast learner who easily picked up her mother's skills in cooking, sewing and straw 
work. She would later hone these talents in Nassau becoming notorious for her bakery quality 
cakes and pies and top of the line straw designs.

While in her teens, she left the Berry Islands a tiny cluster of 30 small islands and headed for 
New Providence to spread her wings. She graduated from the former Eastern Senior School and 
furthered her education at the International Correspondence School, where she became an efficient typist. 
Her proficiency in this regard she would often astound her children as her quick fingers flew across 
the typewriter at 120 words per minute, later led to her success in the public service.

It was in Nassau where she would meet the love of her life. While walking with her mother to 
and from the World-Famous Straw Market in down town Nassau, she caught the eye of a young 
tailor. Struck by her poise and beauty, he cat-called her several times before she finally gave him 
the time of day. After a few walks home together, the young tailor was invited inside the family's 
home and asked by Zulies mother what his intentions were.

The pair married on a beautiful Easter Sunday, April 01, 1958. This couple was blessed with 
five wonderful children. Her love for her family was overwhelming; she took her children on 
annual vacations to Miami and supported them wholeheartedly in their dreams. Her unmatched 
culinary skills would have her brood fighting over who got to eat the scrapings from the macaroni 
pan while their mouths watered when they smelled her famous lemon meringue pie or rolled 
guava duffs in the kitchen.

In the early 1980's it was divinely orchestrated that she would meet famous American 
Evangelist Don Powell. She was struck by the word of God during Reverend Powell's visit to 
the Bahamas. He would later serve as a mentor and guide her on the spiritual path that would 
define a major part of her life. She soon surrendered her life to the Lord and was a devoted 
servant of His teachings.

Although raised in the Catholic faith, she became a devoted Baptist becoming a founding 
member of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church with the late Reverend Chillian Poitier 
and others. She remained a steadfast member of Rising Star until her death. As an ordained 
Deaconess and Evangelist, she was a vessel for the Holy Ghost, evidenced in her ability to 
speak in holy tongues. To further her understanding in Christ, she pursued a diploma in 
theology and music from Bahamas Baptist Community College formerly The Bahamas 
Baptist Bible Institute.

Her talents landed her a number of jobs before she settled into the public service sector for 
more than 25 years of dedicated service. She had brief stints at Steve's Shoe Store (formerly on Market Street), 
was a manager at I-Need-A-Laundry, spent time at Swift Bakery working underneath Kelson and Dorcas Cox 
and at one point was a trained beautician taught by the late Dr. Willamae Saunders.

She later left the private sector for her first Government job as an Assistant Nurse in the 
Princess Margaret Hospital. Faced with a challenging pregnancy with Melanie she was forced 
to stop work. It was in the year 1965 she became employed by the Cabinet Office. During her 
tenure there, she rose through the ranks becoming head of the typing pool. She worked closely 
with the country's first Prime Minister, the late Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling. It was at the Cabinet 
Office where she hit her professional stride. There she spent twenty-eight years. Working at the 
Cabinet Office Zulie was a member of the original "Cabbie" along with the late Yvonne "Johnny" Johnson, 
Albertha Farrah, Florida Young, Luther "L. E.", Helen and Sheryln Smith, Marion Taylor, 
Ruth Charlton, Jane Walkine, June Maura, Ilean Maben, Sir Foley Newns, Rodella Tynes, 
Jestina Russell, Lynn Nottage, Enamae Rolle, Lois Burrows, Patsy Treco, Andrea Frances, 
Vernita Johnson Evelyn Winder, Constance Lunn, the later Eleanor Bastian and Jackie Beckford. 
In 1985 while at the Cabinet Office, she was part of the staff that assisted in organizing the first 
ever Heads of Government Conference hosted in the Bahamas. She also landed the plum post of 
Protocol Officer in the House of assembly working closely with Andrew McKinney and Maurice Tynes 
in insuring that proceedings in Parliament ran smoothly.

With nearly 30 years of service given to the Cabinet Office, Zulie was transferred to the 
Ministry of Social development, a career turn that she loathed. She spent less than two years 
at that Department but it was at this point that her life took a challenging turn. In the middle 
of all this Zulie found time to become engaged in church life and travel, which led her extensively 
throughout the United States, Mexico and to the Holy Land of Jerusalem with a group led by 
Dr. Irene Coakley.

Throughout the years she also owned and operated K-Mel's Fashions Store, ran a popular 
flea market stall on Bahama Avenue and her own beauty Salon. What an entrepreneurial spirit!

Zuleikah is preceded in death by her:
Father: Harold Thompson;
Mother: Eula Laura Gaitor "Nee Thompson".

The Radiance of this "Garnet of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of her
Husband: Edwin Bruce Thompson I;
Two Sons: Dexter and Edwin Michael Thompson II;
Three Daughters: Dr. Melanie Thompson, Kayla Johnson and Kamatha Martin of Atlanta, Georgia;
Eleven Grand Children: Tameka, Edwin III, Tina, Michaela and Michael Thompson, Michael and 
Kyle Johnson, Latisha, Latasha and Ashley Martin of Atlanta, Georgia and Brittney Laing;
Three Brothers: Harold Kermit of Pompano Beach Florida, Winston and Oscar Gaitor of Bimini;
Two Sisters: Evangeline Levarity and Justina Winder of Marsh Harbour Abaco;
Numerous Nephews and Nieces Including: Ruby and Rodger Pinder of Bullocks Harbour, 
Christine and Stephen Williams of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Deanne Storr, Gwendolyn Roberts 
of Sandy Point Abaco, Linda and Cyril Simms of Marsh Harbour Abaco, Verona and Rodney Knowles, 
Jerusha Terry of Sebastian Florida, Charmaine and Vincent Kelly, Yhantalie, James and Avery Ferguson, 
Sharel Maura, Khalis, Kendal, Kara of South Carolina, Monique, Melanie, Winston Jr., Dia, Jermaine, 
Shanique and Jammal Gaitor of Boston Massachusetts, Dwayne Brown, Annishka Francis, 
Devin Winder of Marsh Harbour Abaco, Vashti and Pedro Maycock, Douglas Hermine, Johnice, 
Theandra, Howanell, Maryanne, Laverne, Arnette, Howard, Indera, Baron, Shequille, Howania, 
Shavonne, Elaine, Eldridge, Vernisha, Eldreko, Eldiqua, Eldishika,  Eldecia, Rickeith, Ricardo, 
Wallace, Vanessa, Craig, Ivan, Robert, Wallace Jr., Lisa, Christine, Michael, Dwight of New Jersey, 
Kennis, Judith, Bruce of Miami Florida, Keith of Friendswood Texas, Katie of Kissimmee Florida, 
Kevin and Kenny Thompson and Terry Olgreen of Dallas Texas, Christa Fisher of Miami Florida, 
Della Scott of Miami Florida, Brian, Eve, Bern, Anne of Atlanta Georgia and Ian Evans of Freeport, 
Grand Bahama, Rhonda Wright, Cynthia, Ryan, Robert and Robin Lightbourne, Carol Bodie, 
Gena Curry, Charisma Hinsey, Karen Mebane, Valerie Bazil, Jhan Daniel of Miami Florida, 
Julie and Brendon Swaby, Dr. Therese and Gaetano Bonamy of Marsh Harbour Abaco, Arnold, 
Athena and Alvin Mackey and Kateryanne Johnson;
One Uncle: Ednald Thompson of San Salvador;
Mother-in-law: Thelma Thompson;
Two Sons-in-law: Lionel Johnson and Darryl Martin of Atlanta Georgia;
Two Daughters-in-law: Brenda and Paula Thompson;
Six Brothers-in-law and Spouses: Kenneth and Isabella of Opa Locka Florida, John and Brenda, 
Howard and Esther, Ricardo and Hazel and Eldridge Thompson and Stafford Roberts;
Eleven Sisters-in-law and Spouses: Linda of Pompano Beach Florida, Clara Gaitor of Bimini, 
Christine and Brazil McDonald, Ruth and Robert Lightbourne, Catherine and Adam Mackey, 
Lorraine Joseph, Avis, Sharon, Myrtle, Jeanete and Nellie Thompson;
Other loving family and friends including: Jerrisha Backford, Murine and Enza Miller, 
Marlene Charles, Anishka, Charlene and Richae Barton, Chizelle and Perry Whymms, Carolyn Demeritte, 
Errington, Phyllis, Kendra, Ethan, Kyle, Edvern, Marsha Ann, Patrick of Atlanta Georgia, Timolin, Ahmad, 
Eddia, Tyer, Jeffery, Vince, Peter, Sarah and Jennifer of fort McMurray, Albertha Canada, Nina and 
Myrna of Friendswood Texas, Erma McPhee, Eleanor Arthur, Ednol, Kenneth, Paula and Willamae Thompson, 
Beverly Green, Linda Paul, Sherease Wilson, Burgess, Pauline, Joseph and Evelyn Winder, Charles, 
Juanita and Stephanie McKinney,, Luther "L. E." Smith of Australia, Albertha Farrah, 
Jackie Hutchinson, Florida Young, Florence and Lillian Taylor, Joyce Bain, Shirley Cooper, 
Barbara Bullard, Persis and Hazel Adderley, Barbara Albury, Lisa, Lillian, Tory, Michelle, Lanita, 
Harry and Joyce Rolle, Apostle Valentine Williams, Apostle J. Rodney, Violet and Odrick Roberts 
of Bullocks Harbour, Dr. Ebbie Jackson, Palace Robinson, Ruthie Newbold, Nelson Brennen, Nathlie, 
Collin, Frances, Austin, Podesta and Catherine Johnson, Ashton and Lenita Pratt and their families;
Special thanks to: Veni Andrew of Johannesburg South Africa, Safia Mizra of Hyderabad India, 
Evangelist Portia Ferguson, Nurses Evelyn Assanah of Palmetto Point Eleuthera, Marcia Christie, 
Angie Campbell, Nurses of the Gynae Ward, Female Medical I and II, Female Surgical II, 
Trauma Room Accident and Emergency Department, Dr. Christine Chin and Medical Team 
"C" Princess Margaret Hospital, Father Tom and Members of Holy Family Catholic Church, 
7am and 10am Senior Choirs, Ann Rolle, Junior Choir, Dr. and Mrs. R. E. Cooper Jr. officers and 
Members of Mission Baptist Church, Dr. Irene Coakley, Minister Melinda Bethel, 
Mrs. Primrose Chase, Reverend Dr. Charles W. Saunders Officers and Members 
Salem Union Baptist Church, Bishop Lester M. and Sister Vanessa Cox and Members of the 
Word of Truth Ministries International, Suffragan Bishop and Mrs. Christopher Minnis and 
Members of Greater Bethel Cathedral, Faculty and Staff of Atlantic College, Retirees and Staff of 
Bahamas Electricity Corporation, Head Office Edward Roach and Staff of Shift "A" Bahamas 
Electricity Corporation Clifton Pier Power Plant, Delworth Neely and Staff Ministry of Works, 
Hubert A. Chipman and Partners and Staff Ernest and Young Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands 
and New York, Health Services Nursing Home, Martin Georgia, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., 
Donalee Bowe and Bahamas National Craft Association, Bishop James and Frances Darby, 
Sherry Owens of Deland Florida, Monique Gibson of Miami Florida, Monique Vanderpool 
of Washington D. C., Dr. and Mrs. Kevin King, Sandy and Shantel Bastian, Alfreda and 
Pam Forbes, Pastor Fredricka Minus, Mother Barbara Rahming, Prophetess Helen Duncanson, 
Mother Catherine Cooper, Portia Corebell, Elva Henfield, Selena Mack, Margaret Cartwright, 
Christine Turnquest, Dornell and Philmore Arnett of Ft. Lauderdale Florida, Minister Edison and 
Darleen Summer, Rose, Sonja and Denzie Wood of Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, Shirley Delancy, 
Kim Thompson, Nadia Stubbs, Medgar Bonimy and the Human Resources Class at Nova 
Southeastern University, Government High School Class of 1978 and Valderene Fraser of Atlanta Georgia.