Good afternoon, to the family, friends, loved ones, co-workers and fellow pharmacy professionals who knew and loved Marisol Melhado. As the President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists, a sad but necessary part of my duty is to, from time to time, convey the collective condolences of our members from over 38 countries and territories, when a member passed away. It is never an easy task, and one that after every occasion to do so, I wish that I never have to do it again. Today, however, this one is the hardest yet. You see, Marisol was not a valued pharmacy colleague, and a fellow National President, both of us having served as President of our National Associations at the same time; nor was she just a member of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists. In truth she was all of those things, and served as an example to all of us of how one could harness the passion, intelligence and power in being a great pharmacist, and channel it through our associations to create greatness in our profession on the national level. She represented her beloved Belize at so many meetings where we connected, and everyone that met her left knowing two things without any doubt; she loved pharmacy, and she loved Belize! This was the Marisol that her patients and co-workers saw, and why she was the fuel behind the strength and resolve of the Pharmacists Association of Belize.

But even as all of these things, Marisol was so much more. You see, she was not only my colleague, but also my invaluable friend. We meet in 2006 in St. Kitts, and since that day, I can truly say my life is now better for that meeting. I got to know the mischievous spirit behind that beautiful smile she flashed when she wanted to get her own way. I learned when to back away slowly, when I could see that flash of anger shoot out from her eyes when someone had made the mistake of underestimating her kindness for weakness. I would listen with amazement at the way she could take a problem and break it down so quickly, and then lay out in every step, the plan to overcome it. But most of all, I marveled at the way she was determined to never let her fate be determined by others. She was set on being the master of her own universe, and woe to anyone that got in her way.

She invited me to visit Belize and the Pharmacists Association some years back, and before I knew it, she had me right in the middle of a national dispute between the PAB and the Ministry of Health. When I joked about the Belize police busting in my hotel room to deport me, she stopped laughing and looked me in the eyes saying, “If they want to have me on their case, let them try.” At that moment I felt scared, not for her or me, but for the police. Of course the next morning she was on a national TV show telling everyone why the Pharmacists were right and the Government was wrong. If one word had to be chosen to define her, for me it would be FIERCE! Marisol was a warrior, in every sense of the word. When our initial host-country for the 2017 Annual Conference for the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists backed out from their commitment with only a year to go, the Executive were scrambling to find a replacement country. As the brand new President, I simply called her, and said, “Are you ready for us to come to Belize?” She affirmed that Belize could do it, and the rest was history, as this past August, the Belize Pharmacists hosted one of the best Conferences that CAP has had. And Marisol was right there, with her proud smile as she watched her Association shine as hosts.

What does one say when you lose someone from your circle? Someone who you always know will tell you that your ideas suck, when everyone else is comfortable just applauding that you have an idea? How do you replace a friend for over a decade who you can tell “I’m afraid” when everyone else looks to you to be fearless? With all the fake people we meet every day, how do you deal with losing someone so authentic in every way? These are some of the questions that are going through my mind, and probably through your minds as well. We must all seek Divine help and lean on our faith in The Almighty, knowing that even in our loss, her soul and her eternal rest are now solely in His Hands. Her race is completed, and her purpose has been fulfilled, even though it may not seem so at this moment. Her death reminds us that while we think that time is in surplus, it can end in the blink of an eye. And so, we need to live or lives, and fulfill our purpose, in our own allotted time. Make each moment count, and each interaction with our fellowman one that brings positivity, unity and productivity. And live so that when our time is over, we will leave behind a legacy of a true spirit and energy that was used to make our world a better place. Marisol did this for us…I know it, because I am better today for having had her in my life and career.

On behalf of the many members of CAP, spread throughout the Caribbean and all over the world, and particularly my Executive Officers and Key Members of this term, I extend our heartfelt condolences to you all, and know that we will continue to pray that the God of Peace, soothes every pained heart, and strengthens your soul in this moment, and the days ahead. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in the peace, returning to the Creator, from whom all life begins and ends. Amen.

Dr. Marvin R. Smith
President – Caribbean Association of Pharmacists