Photo by Newsco (Observer)
Tranquility Park Cemetery officially opened its gates yesterday with the historic burial of Janette Eloise Henry of Willikies, affectionately known as the “Labour Queen.”
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral, including Prime Minister Gaston Browne, members and supporters of the Antigua Labour Party, and United Progressive Party Senator Alex Browne, paying tribute to Henry’s life and legacy.
Photo by Newsco (Observer)
Located at Tomlinson’s along the Sir Sydney Walling Highway, Tranquility Park was established to alleviate pressure on the St. John’s Public Cemetery. The facility features uniformed graves and is expected to include a non-denominational chapel for funeral services.
Photo by Newsco (Observer)
Henry’s burial marks the first interment at the long-awaited cemetery, a milestone in the island’s efforts to provide modern and dignified burial spaces for the community.
Not the exact way ro create history
Ah yes, Tranquility Park Cemetery finally opens, proving that even in death, the VIP list is longer than my grocery list and apparently you can’t throw a proper party without the Prime Minister, a senator, and half the political spectrum showing up. I can just imagine Janette Henry shaking her head and saying, ‘Y’all really had to make my send-off a full-blown red-carpet affair?
Hundreds of mourners attended… which really makes you wonder: was this a funeral, or the hottest social event in Willikies this week? I mean, you’ve got politicians rubbing elbows, supporters waving flags, and probably someone’s aunt bringing potato salad like it’s a tailgate party. Only in Antigua, folks, only in Antigua
Finally we know the delays are over with this cemetery
There’s no marking really for this…… but okay, first person to have a spot at the cemetery
I love that even a United Progressive Party senator showed up. That’s political civility, folks or maybe just a subtle reminder that funerals are one of the few places where you can’t heckle without it being frowned upon. I imagine Senator Browne leaning in and whispering, ‘We’ll let bygones be bygones… today
Ben your comments are always silly. But i never see a burial ground with so much politics.
Grant burial ground and St Stephen’s full too oh ok I get it now!
Condolences to her family. That’s not the sort of history that any family wants to be associated with but it has to be someone eventually
Deepest sympathies to the Henry family. She will forever be remembered as the first to rest at Tranquility Park.
My family and I truly appreciate the sympathies and support.
I want to make something very clear—my mother was a proud and devoted supporter of the Antigua Labour Party. That was a part of who she was, and no one can take that away from her. Red wasn’t just a color to her—it was her identity, her passion, her pride.
From as far back as I can remember, my mother loved red. Even my own birth is a reminder of that—she always said a red panty saved me. That’s how deep her connection to that color was.
We were never seeking fame or attention. But if you knew Janet Eloise Henry—our “Labour Queen”—then you know exactly who she was and what she stood for. Everything that was done was done in honor of her and what she would have wanted.
She got what she deserved. She got it her way. And yes—it was red.
We grew up with people from all walks of life, including Alex Brown and his family. There has always been mutual respect. We don’t see division—but we will always stand firm in honoring who our mother was.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but this was never about anyone else. This was about our mother.
And we gave her exactly what she wanted.