For many of us Caribbean educators, the date 01/01/ 01 is indelibly etched in our minds. This is the date on a document outlining the Caribbean Recruitment Initiative (CRI) designed and implemented by the Board of Education of the City of New York. By September 2001, teachers from Jamaica and other Caribbean countries were placed in schools in districts 17, 18, 73, and other selected districts where there is a high concentration of Caribbean students.
This was a great opportunity for Caribbean teachers to seek a better life for themselves and their families. Teachers from all levels of the education system availed themselves of this opportunity. Mrs Dionne Coy-Bailey, who was a lecturer at Shortwood Teachers' College and a member of the team for the Reform of Secondary Education, at that time, was numbered among the recruits. Like everyone else she wanted the best for herself and her family.
Almost nine years later, Mrs Coy-Bailey's dream came to an abrupt, tragic end in a gruesome, heart-wrenching, mind-boggling, and excruciatingly painful tale of murder-suicide, reported in the mass media in New York and Jamaica. The Gleaner article on February 25 speaks to "a pall of gloom hanging over the small farming community of Ulster Spring in Trelawny, following the tragic deaths of Jamaican educator, Dionne Coy-Bailey, and her two daughters, who were killed this week by her husband in a murder-suicide."
The Shortwood Teachers' College family, which includes her relatives, is deeply saddened by the tragic turn of events. She herself and those whom she had left behind in her quest to improve the quality of her life and her family's, could never have imagined that her dreams and aspirations would have come to such a tragic end.
Mrs Coy-Bailey will be remembered for her contribution to education at home and abroad, and the improvements that took place under her watch as president of the Shortwood Teachers' College Staff Association.
There are some things that we will never understand.
A family of four were found dead with gunshot wounds to the head at a home in southeast Queens on Monday in what was believed to be a murder-suicide, the police said.
Investigators believe that a man killed his wife and two daughters before taking his own life, the police said. Officers found a note on the kitchen table at the house, on 230th Place near Kennedy International Airport, that read “I’m sorry. Love, Mark.”
A rifle was recovered at the scene and believed to have been the murder weapon. The man, who was identified by a law enforcement official as Mark Bailey, was found in the living room with a gunshot wound to the forehead. Mr. Bailey was believed to be in his 40s, according to a law enforcement official.
The man’s teenage daughters and his wife were found in their bedrooms with gunshot wounds, the police said. The law enforcement official identified the wife as Dionne Bailey, 42, and the daughters as Yanique, 19, and Yolanne, 14.
The police responded to an emergency call that someone needed medical attention around 7 a.m. Monday. When officers arrived at the home, they discovered the four bodies.
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God needed a Friend
Did God need another angel?
Or someone He knew that would care?
Someone who always thought of others
And when needed?was always there.
Did God need another angel?
Or someone to be more helpful in Heaven above?
Even though you were treasured here on Earth
I guess He noticed your kindness & your love.
Did God need another angel?
Or someone He knew was worthwhile?
Someone to share in His spiritual inspirations
And someone with an awesome smile!
I guess God watched you from Heaven
And choose someone He knew was special
Many nights I?ve cried to God in anger
?Why did You need another angel??
And then the answer hit me & it?s quite simple
For now, I?m no longer saddened,
Because, God DID need another angel
?but he also needed a friend!
Just as you were loved, so shall you be missed.
In Loving Memory of a Very Special Person
