St Lucia's outgoing deputy High Commissioner to the UK Her Excellency Mrs. Leonne Theodore - John hosted a dinner party at the High Commission in London on Saturday, February 12th to mark the end of her diplomatic journey in a grand farewell ceremony and celebration.

 Not even the cold temperature could have dampened the party spirit in the British capital last weekend as H.E Mrs.John was afforded a grand send-off at a party attended by a parade of political power players including the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, and the High Commissioners of Dominica and Barbados respectively.

After 4 years of tirelessly working as the Minister Counsellor H.E.Mrs., John will be retiring from her role at the High Commission to return back to St Lucia.

" I wish to start by first giving thanks to Almighty God for his immeasurable and bountiful blessings towards me," said Mrs.John. "To my husband who is not here with me, I also say thank you for always allowing me to grow and fly, for you are the wind beneath my wings."  

In an almost packed room with about 100 guests, comprised of prominent members from across the St Lucian diaspora, H.E Mrs.John welcomed the Guests at the reception who enjoyed cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres before paying tribute to the great work that the High Commission is doing.

"I am most grateful for the formidable and enduring friendships I made along the way in the last 4 years during my stint here at the High Commission, with work colleagues with the St Lucian diaspora Associations, with the CARICOM High Commissioners caucus, and with the ordinary nationals who walked through the doors of the High Commission for St Lucia," said Mrs.John who reminded the audience of her struggles and the many battles she fought to get to where she is today in a rousing speech.

Guest of Honour Baroness Patricia Janet Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General paid tribute to the Deputy High Commissioner for serving her country magnificently. "The minister Counsellour Mrs. Leonne John has made an enormous contribution not just to St Lucians here but also to the whole commonwealth family. It is my great privilege and pleasure to be able to come tonight and to thank her for her hard work and to say thanks for all the contributions made by St Lucians and to wish her well and I hope God will bless her," said Baroness Scotland who praised the outstanding contributions made by the commonwealth community in helping to enrich the UK.

Other distinguished guests included the acting High Commissioner for Dominica, Her Excellency Mrs.Janet Charles who praised the Minister Counsellor for her commitment and engagement with the community in the UK.

"Leonne was amazing and unique and did things in her own way. She was selfless and she made sure that whatever she did was her best - She will always be remembered for her love, sincerity, support, and hard work. She will go places. I  have great hopes for her." said H.E. Janet Charles.

In her closing remarks, H.E.Mrs John reminded patrons of her humble beginnings and what life was like growing up in the South of St Lucia." I am the girl who grew up in the countryside of Grace, Vieux Fort. I was raised by a very wise, stern, and industrious nonsense mother. A girl who had to go to the river to wash as one of my friends so constantly reminds me, to the woman who has a dream and continues to dream, work hard persevered and became a Barrister, a wife, a mother, served as both president of the senate and speaker of the house of assembly of Saint Lucia." 

She adds: "Through this journey, I encountered many trials and tribulations but continued to soar and triumph despite the hurdles: For what may have the appearance of a glorious and prestigious job here in the UK, was no bed of roses, so to the situation under which I left St Lucia as the speaker of the house of assembly to move to the UK to take up the post of Minister Counsellor at the High Commission, and ironically held the post of Charge D'Affaires for the last 8 months."

She ends with a poem by her favourite poet Maya Angelou: Still, I rise.

You may write me down in history 
With your bitter, twisted lies
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust I rise.