Sister of Mercy, historian and former University of Guyana lecturer Sister Mary Noel Menezes died this morning. She was 92.
Her death was confirmed by the office of Bishop Francis Alleyne.
Sister Noel, a former history lecturer at the UG, in 2017 at the age of 87 launched her new book entitled ‘Guyana and the Wider World’, which featured a collection of her essays and addresses.
Sister Noel who was born in 1930, was a nun, Emeritus Professor of History, philanthropist, author and recipient of the country’s second highest National Award, the Order of Roraima as well as the Golden Arrow of Achievement.
Most of her life as an academic was spent at the University of Guyana. After teaching for two years at colleges in the United States of America in the mid-1960s, she joined the UG staff in September 1967 and served there until her retirement 23 years later in 1990.
Writing in the Stabroek News in 2005 another Emeritus Professor, Winston McGowan, said that among her achievements was the enviable reputation that she gained, as being one of the institution’s most stimulating and engrossing teachers. “Moreover, Sister, an efficient, creative, fearless administrator, served as head of the Department of History for nine years (1977-1986), transforming this hitherto humdrum department into one of the finest departments in the entire university,” he had written.
In 1973 she initiated the university’s first Master’s Degree Programme – a M.A. in Guyanese and West Indian History. She served as the Chief Co-ordinator of this programme for 17 years, from its inception to her retirement in 1990.
In that capacity she trained a new generation of professional Guyanese historians including Dr. James Rose, Dr. David Chanderbali and Tota Mangar.
Sister Noel was one of UG’s leading researchers and most prolific writers. Her research greatly enhanced knowledge especially of two areas in Guyanese history in which she became the recognised authority. These areas are the history of the Amerindians, the subject of her doctoral dissertation at the University of London in England from 1970 to 1973, and the history of the Portuguese.
She produced four books on these two subjects, namely, British Policy Towards the Amerindians in British Guiana, 1803-1873 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977); The Amerindians in Guyana 1803-1873. A Documentary History (London: Frank Cass and Co. Ltd., 1979); Scenes from the History of the Portuguese in Guyana (London: The Author, 1986); and The Portuguese of Guyana: A Study in Culture and Conflict (Gujurat: The Anand Press, 1992).
Two other of her numerous publications are particularly cherished by students. Her book, The Amerindians and the Europeans is one of the most informative sources of knowledge for this popular theme in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History syllabus. Secondly, her Guide to Historical Research, later revised with a new title, How To Do Better Research, continues to be an invaluable guide especially to university students in all disciplines on research methodology.
In 2005 she was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) by the University of the West Indies St Augustine Campus. It was the second occasion that she had been the recipient of such an honour. The first occasion was in 1983 when her Alma Mater, the College Misericordia in Dallas, Pennsylvania, where she completed a B.A. Degree in History in 1964, conferred on her a Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Catholic Media Guyana today issued the following statement:
“Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sr Noel Menezes, RSM who died this morning. She was 92 years old and in the 75th year of religious life. She entered the sisters of Mercy community in Dallas, Pennsylvania, USA in 1947 and took her vows as a Religious Sister in 1950.
“She made a significant contribution to Guyana as professor of history at the University of Guyana for 23 years. From 1968 to 2003, Sr Noel ran the St John Bosco Orphanage in Plaisance, for boys aged three to sixteen. In 2000, she founded the Mercy Boys’ Home in Georgetown for boys older than 16. She also served on the council of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital from 1985 to 2002.
“Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen”.