Former First Lady Geva René dies at 90 |12 May 2023
Former wife of ex-President France Albert René, Geva René, passed away yesterday.
Born on October 30, 1932, Mrs René was 90 years old.
She was the eldest of six children including former teacher, tennis player and Seychelles Tennis Association chairman John Adam.
An education professional, Mrs Rene was the head teacher of Seychelles College Primary and Modern School. She was also the principal and founding member of the Teacher Training College.
She was also the very First Lady of Seychelles and the longest serving from 1977 to 1992.
Mrs René’s love for children was unwavering and unconditional and it is no surprise that she was the patron and founder of the National Council for Children (NCC) and founder of the President's Village.
In a message on Facebook to thank the many sympathisers fo their comforting words, one of her three sons, David, himself a former airline pilot and chief executive of Air Seychelles, wrote: “Goodbye to our dearest mother and grandmother and great grandmother Geva René.
“Words fail us at a time like this. We are overwhelmed by the pouring of messages and calls. As much as she was our rock and an amazing matriarch who showered all with love and compassion. She is the most caring, loving and giving human being we have ever known. God bless her soul. Sorry if we have been unable to take all the calls and messages... A big thank you.”
Former judge Durai Karunakaran has described Mrs René as “a legend, an embodiment of love and compassion, especially towards the children of Seychelles”.
Marise Berlouis wrote: “RIP Geva. I was so fortunate to have had you as a close friend. Thank you for everything you have done for our country and especially our children. We will aways love you.”
AS for Nelcia Pillay, she wrote that Mrs René was “really an amazing person and a role model”.
Expressing herself in French, Annick Albert wrote: « Une grande dame des Seychelles s’en est allée après un parcours remarquable et le sentiment accompli surtout avec les enfants des Seychelles qu’elle a beaucoup aidés et aimés ».
Mrs Rene’s other two sons are Glenny and Francis.
Seychelles NATION sympathises with the Savy family.
Compiled by Gerard Govinden
