Tough Love
A Tribute to Lynette Dolphin

IN 1951 I entered Queen's College in the `Prep Form', at the then new school at Camp and Thomas Roads, Georgetown and fell immediately under the spell of a wonderful human being, teacher and musician - Miss Lynette Dolphin.

We 30 or so boys found that we were no match for this most energetic, knowledgeable and humorous lady. She knew all the games and tricks that youngsters play - tough love would be a most apt description of her manner and method. But a smile was never far away, nor was the venerable piano which we were to crowd around and begin a delightful apprenticeship in the art and joys of music. Miss Dolphin seemed to know every popular or traditional Guyanese and English melody, all apparently by heart, and all delivered with great gusto and evident delight.

Every boy at QC caught her enthusiasm - even the less musical of us, of whom I was one.

But her influence was Guyana-wide. How many, I wonder, were caught up by her magic? Thousands I suspect, and now spread around the globe. All are deeply in her debt, and we mourn her passing. But her sublime gift to us will be forever.

We shall not forget.

God rest her soul.