Tributes are pouring in following the death on Tuesday, of Marie-Louise Lady
Shoul. The sad event happened just over two months after the celebration of her
100th birthday.
The centenarian is being remembered for playing a supporting role to her husband,
John Ferdinand Shoul, affectionately called ‘Sir Ferdie’, as well as the late Sir
Vere Cornwall Bird during the early years of the country’s development. She
earned a reputation for preparing sumptuous lunches, dinners, and picnic outings
for prospective developers, during the time of fire-hearth ovens and the nascent
days of the country’s tourism.
She was also instrumental in coaching and training many carnival queen
contestants at her home on Newgate Street, dubbed the centre of carnival by King
Short Shirt in his tribute, ‘Sir John Ferdinand’.
Marie-Louise Lady Shoul was born on April 28, 1923, in Guadeloupe and spent
her formative years in Dominica, before traveling to Antigua at the age of 12. Her
subsequent marriage to Sir Ferdie bore four children: John F. Shoul Jr, Charles,
Elena, and David.
Marie-Louise Lady Shoul is remembered as humble, compassionate, a patriot, and
a woman of strong faith. She was a committed Roman Catholic and was tireless in
her encouragement of young people to be steadfast in prayer.