January 22, 1943 - August 31, 2021
Brave, Strong, Loved, and Unapologetic!
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Waveney Amelia Fraser, affectionately known as Sister Wave, Cousin Waveney, was ahead of her time, blazing trails that are trending now. Waveney lived primarily in Mahaicony, resided in Georgetown, and spent several years in New Jersey, USA. She was an entrepreneur who contributed to her community and sought to improve the lives of those who came into her path.
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She owned and operated Fraser’s Farm and was the Proprietor of the Texaco Gas Station in Central Mahaicony. In her
community, she helped start a women's arts and crafts group, hosting and participating in craft exhibitions, showcasing her exceptional skills. She loved to give family and friends her beautiful centerpieces, chair backs, and other household
decorative pieces.
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Grace, discipline, and attention to detail were among her core values, and these were evident in almost every aspect of her life. Some may argue that her attention to detail and wanting things done a particular way were ingrained in her DNA. Her father and grandfather were known to have had these exact attributes. Waveney loved and admired them dearly, and in many ways sharing similar characteristics was her way of showing her admiration for their hard work and love of family.
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Waveney was also a devoted friend. She did not have many ‘friends and rakes,’ but the ones she had would eventually evolve into sisterhoods that transcend time. The offshoots of these sisterly bonds are all around today.
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To her family, she was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. She intertwined love, discipline, strength, and courage in a way that only she knew how. She imparted lessons, values, and expectations to her siblings, children, grandchildren, and loved ones that would last a lifetime - especially the importance of education. She held no punches from young to old - telling you as she saw it verbally or nonverbally. In the end, you knew where she stood and where you were in relation to her position. Confronted by loss and illness, she was courageous and strong - pushing through pain and fear - when she lost her son and battled breast cancer and dementia.
Though she disliked the color pink, Waveney had an exquisite sense of style. Her sisters recalled how she was always in the latest trends and styles, from bell bottom pants, platform boots, and large waist belts with purses to match. Over the years, she developed a love for African fashion that included a level of style and flair unique to her. She was clear about what she wanted, and she would collaborate with her tailors and seamstresses, at home and aboard, to bring her visions to life.
Waveney Amelia Fraser, née Reece, was born at home on January 22, 1943, with the help of her great-aunt, Aunty Darlin, the village midwife. Her birth was the first for the new parents, Patrick and Elaine Reece, who would go on to have eleven more children. As the eldest girl-child, she played an instrumental role in assisting her mother with caring for those who followed her. She cooked, cleaned, and helped ensure the daily routine of her family’s home was executed to the ‘T.’ During these times she fine-tuned her skills to ensure the orderliness of the house - which would become a staple in her home when she started a family of her own. In their childhood stories, her brothers shared that when Waveney returned home from school, she would make a quick assessment of the yard and home on the weekends. If things were not to her approval, she quickly called the boys (her brothers) to sweep the yard, fetch clean water, and complete all other unfinished tasks. There were many early-ended cricket games for the boys when she returned home on Fridays.
Waveney began her educational journey at Mahaicony Scotch School. After completing her primary education, she was offered a pupil-teacher position by the then headmaster of Strath Campbelle School. However, she decided to attend Tutorial High School (Georgetown) to complete her secondary education. At Tutorial, she studied for the College of Preceptors (CP) and the Senior Cambridge Examinations. Waveney’s passion for education was motivated by her grandfather, Jacob James. Although he did not have an opportunity to attend school, he understood the value of education and encouraged her mother, Elaine, to ensure that his grandchildren experienced the benefits of a good education.
As a student at Tutorial High School, Waveney and her brother, Orville, traveled on the train each morning. These mornings sometimes proved challenging for the pair, and they often relied on their father to save them when they were running behind. At the time, Patrick was a district foreman on the railway for Guyana Transportation Department. He used this position to hold the 5 o’clock train at the Mahaicony Station long enough for his tardy children to get there. This schedule worked for a while, but a new arrangement had to be devised. After several months of traveling daily to school, Patrick recognized the fatigue of this daily trip. He arranged for Waveney and Orville to stay at the Fraser’s (not George and Edna Fraser) during the week and travel home on the weekends (when she would conduct her inspections and end cricket games, as mentioned above).
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Love, Friendship & Family
While at Tutorial, Waveney met Ronald Fraser, George and Edna Fraser’s son, who was on the teaching staff. Their relationship blossomed, and the two were married on April 20, 1963. Waveney and Ronald’s first child, Karen (Ann), was born in 1964, and she was followed by Ronald (Andy), Carey, and Tonia.
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The family eventually moved to Zeskenden Mahaicony in 1969. Waveney migrated to the US in 1996, where she remained until illness prompted her return home.
God saw that she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be, So he put his arms around her and whispered, ‘Come to me,’ With tearful eyes, we watched as and saw you pass away. Although we loved her dearly, we could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us; he only takes the BEST.
On August 31, 2021, Waveney transitioned from this world with her husband and caretakers by her side.
Survived By
Waveney was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Elaine; son - Carey; brother - Orville; grandparent - Esther, Eldeka, Jacob; In-laws Edgar, George, Edna, George Jr., Owen, Nelson (Terry), and Winston. Friends - Monica, Grace, and others
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Along with Ronald and her children Karen (Ann), Ronald (Andy), and Tonia, Waveney leaves to mourn a host of family and friends.
Her Grandchildren: Ronald (Jermaine), Reaiah (Jasmaine), Jace, Jaydon, Jaina, and Janel
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Her Great-grandchildren: Roniya and Ronaldo
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Her daughter-in-law: Danessa
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Her son-in-law: Stephen
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Her Foster sons: Lindon Reece and Linden Cameron
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Her Godchildren: Pamela, Rawl, and others
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Her Brothers: Vibart, Stanwyck, Foster, Steve, Clyde, and Gavin
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Her Sisters: Claudine, June, Gean, and Faith.
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Her Brothers-in-law: Hugh Phillips; Leon, Michael, and Carlyle Fraser
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Her Sisters-in-law: Sheilla, Claudette, Maureen, Toni; Eudelene, Cecile, Lolette, and Celene
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Her nieces and nephews: Carolyn, Aubrey, Burton, Clinton, Esther, Stanwyke Jr, Rondell, Donette, Timmilo, Kevin, Christopher, Steven, Stephon, Leah, Serenity, Aikey, Karl, Carl, Rolston, Orin, Whitney, Anthony, Andre, Jason, Tammi, Alicia, Ryan, Randy, Demi, Charmaine, Steven, Seon, Oscar, Kwadjo, Jason, Gillian, Carol, Nelson (Terry Jr.), Jackie, Nyjel, Nyal, Wycliffe, Chaundelle, Jewel, Kayron, Kerwin, Jason, Justin, Kevin, Rawle, Onieka, Odonna, Rheaclare, Crystal, Carlos, Chenelle, Owen, Marcia, Lester, Bert, and others.
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Her many great-nieces and nephews and their children.
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Her cousins: Beverly, Mark, Paul, Charles, Micheal, Roy and others
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Her relatives: The Reeces, Bacchus’, James, Halleys, Gibbons, Rudtherfords, Richmonds, Tappins and McPhersons
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Her friends: Cleopatra, Penny, Brenda B-M., Brenda M., Cordelia, Zemella, Ms. Bowen, Mrs. Carrington, and Mrs. Kelman.
So long, Mom. We will always love, and we miss you dearly.
May your soul rest in peace and rise in glory!