“Good morning, Mrs. Crouch,” a chorus of teenage voices greeted Elizabeth Crouch and family as they entered the St Joseph’s Convent chapel for the Mass and valedictory function in thanksgiving for her thirty-five years of service to the school.

The chapel was filled with the familiar faces of those with whom Mrs Crouch had shared her distinguished career: current and former members of staff, parents, friends, Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny and, of course, the students. Fr Gregory Augustine was the chief celebrant and the music was provided by the school’s choir, pan ensemble and liturgical group. 

The liturgy was followed by a series of tributes to Mrs Crouch. These praised Mrs Crouch’s indefatigable spirit when it came to all matters related to the school and extolled her not only as a teacher, but as a lifelong learner.

Mrs Jennifer Annandsingh, Acting Principal, spoke fondly of the positive working relationship she shared with Mrs. Crouch in the fifteen years they worked together as Principal and Vice-Principal.

Elizabeth Crouch, accompanied by her husband and son and acting principal Jennifer Annandsingh, enters the chapel. Photo by Maria Huggins

She then presented Mrs Crouch with a token of appreciation on behalf of the school community and wished her luck in her new post at Maria Regina Grade School.

As for Mrs Crouch’s post-retirement plans, friend and colleague, Carol Montserin, said in her tribute that she was initially adamant that her friend take a rest and decline the position of principal at Maria Regina.

“But when she said she couldn’t say no to Cluny, I was silenced,” she shared. After all, Mrs Crouch’s willingness to go wherever she is needed and do whatever is required, sometimes at great personal sacrifice, allowed St Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain to remain one of the finest schools in the country. Thus Mrs Crouch leaves the school in the same spirit in which it was founded: to do the Holy will of God.

“Just five minutes,” Mrs Crouch smiled, approaching the podium to deliver her final address to the school. Poised and articulate as ever, she seized the opportunity to thank all those who had journeyed with her over the last 35 years: her parents, her husband, children, faithful vice-principal, Mrs Annandsingh, her staff, the parents of her students, and the girls themselves, whom she lauded as the best students in the country.

She thanked those who had inspired and mentored her, especially Patricia Rousseau and Sr Paul D’Ornellas. It was in this spirit of thankfulness that the morning drew to a close.

Some 47 years after Elizabeth Superville first entered St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain as a student, Mrs. Elizabeth Crouch, lifelong learner, teacher and principal, finally said goodbye.