August 04, 1932-September 02, 2010

Brenda Patricia Irene Lake commonly know as Pat was the daughter of George Henry Martin and Gloria Alnena Saltus born on August 4 1932. She was one of 4 sibling. She obtained her early education at the Catherine Paynter Phillip Nursery, Spring Hill School and then on to Ord Road School now know as Paget Primary. She later went on to Purvis School.

She attended high school at Arts and Crafts Prospect Secondary School for Girls. Pat furthered her studies at the Apex School of Beauty Culture and Hair Dressing in Bronx New York and graduated in November 1956.

Her first Beauty Parlor was in a small room in her parents home in Paget. After obtaining her home on Cobbs Hill she operated a fully equipped salon . She was instrumental in teaching one of her daughters to handle these task in the salon however Pat wanted to provide better for her family so she secured a job at the Surf Side Beach Club as a Chamber maid she worked along side her mother and sister. She later moved on to Southampton Princess. It didn’t take long for Pat to be promoted to Supervisor of Housekeeping. She remained in that position until 1991. when she moved to greener pastures.

She enjoyed baking so she decided to go into a baking career under the tutelage of Cynthia Fishington, excelling to the stage of making Wedding Cakes. She mastered her skill and improved immensely.

Pat had a love for sports and became involved in several sports at a young age. She became a track star and was due to represent Bermuda in 1952 at the Olympics but had to withdraw for personal reasons. She was involved with Bermuda Petticoat Softball League, later known as the Bermuda Armature Softball Association. serving with Mr. Ernest “Dickie” Drew the President. She became apart of the Executive Committee associated with such Individuals as Dr. Charles A. Smith, Police Inspector Leon Bean and Winston JR Jones. They were instrumental in steering the women’s team towards International Competitions. She was also involved with the Big Blue Machines a softball team that won the Gold Medal in Colombia in 1978.

Pat formed the Warwick Rockettes Softball Team sponsored by Warwick Workmen’s Club. She arranged for the Rockettes to go overseas to play and while they didn’t win they made life long friendships and began return visits of the Jimmie girls, a team headed by Jim Cooper, she continued to keep in contact with him. She was also responsible for getting the teams to play slow pitch on the base. She herself played softball for the club and also formed a ladies Cricket team. She founded the women’s auxiliary club and served as President for several years. She was Director of the Bermuda Marathon Derby Committee. Pat assisted with the International Race Weekend.

In 1997, Pat became a member of the Bermuda Olympics Association and served with them until 2008. She was a member of the Orchid Charity Club and a member of Warwick Community Centre and President of the Council.

Pat had the idea for a programme to help young men and in 1980 it was piloted forward, organized and fully supported by Government in 1981. The educational programme was to help young males who sat on the wall in Warwick known as the “Rubber Tree Boys” and who did not complete their education.

She was a member of the P.T.A. at Purvis School here again serving as the President. Pat was also a member of the Warwick Parish Council and member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Warwick and member of the Guild and Choir.

She received several awards: One from Warwick Parish Council for outstanding Contribution to the Community in 2009 at the 400th year celebration. In 1986 an award from St. Paul’s Church for her dedicated and valued service. She was appointed a JP Justice of the Peace and received the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of honour in December 1990.

In 1995 she received a Sports Citation from Government for her contribution to Softball and Track and Field as an administrator. Warwick Community Advisory Council presented her with an award in 2005 for 26years of service as a Loyal Dedicated member. In 2007 a special achievement for her volunteer service to Track and Field. In 2008 she received the Reginald Steede and Lucetta J. Raynor Excellence award for life long service to the youth in the Community.

Brenda Patricia Irene Lake had a heart of gold and shared with all who came in contact with her. She was a real people person and her kindness and thoughtfulness did not go un-noticed. she was truly deserving of all the love and recognition awarded her.

Researched and scribed by Joy Wilson-Tucker Historian