Calm, patient and giving are the traits Jean Carmino will most be remembered for in the world of cricket.
Carmino passed away last Wednesday at the age of 80, having been ailing for some time. She would have been most well known as the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Association (TTWCA) secretary for four decades, ending with her retirement in 2010.
The regional stalwart also served as the first West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation (WIWCF) secretary, from 1975 to 2000.
Only last year Carmino was honoured for her long tenure in the game at the T&T Cricket Board’s (TTCB) annual awards function.
Former T&T and West Indies women player and coach Ann Browne-John yesterday described Carmino as “the backbone of women’s cricket for the last 30 years”.
“Maybe 20 years ago when women’s cricket looked like it was falling through, Mrs Carmino was the one who held it together,” Browne-John said.
“There were times when women’s cricket had no money, and she would use her own funding to help…I think she has made a great contribution to women’s cricket and West Indies cricket, where she served as secretary for nearly 30 years.”
But Carmino was also a “mother figure” to many in the cricket fraternity, said Browne-John.
“She was always such a pleasant person. People would always comment on the fact that she was always smiling. When some of us were flustered, she was never flustered, always calm. I think that’s what I mainly remember about Jean. You could always depend on Jean to bring that calming word to any situation to deal with it.”
TTWCA president Dr Patricia Elder said she did not know Carmino well personally, as she joined the Association only after Carmino retired. But her reputation, Elder said, certainly preceded her.
“We are really grateful for her contribution to women’s cricket,” Elder said.
On behalf of the TTCB, executive member Patrick Rampersad extended condolences to Carmino’s family on her death.
“She has been a very dedicated servant, in particular to women’s’ cricket, and we want to recognise that,” Rampersad said. “She brought a lot of experience to whatever matter that will arise and that kind of calmness and influence. Cricket will obviously miss a dedicated servant like her.”
(Source http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Cricket_fraternity_says_goodbye_to_Jean_Carmino-137460018.html)
