Tonight, Belize has lost a national icon, and a pioneering legend of the Credit Union movement. Jane Ellen Usher, known to all as "Ms. Jane" from the Holy Redeemer Credit Union died at 5:00 this morning. She passed at home surrounded by family at the age of 101.
She had been working in the Credit Union up to last year November when she had a fall and broke her pelvis. From there, her health slowly deteriorated, leading to this morning's passing from symptoms associated with old age.
Her legacy is among the most celebrated and enduring in Belize's history - but to the everyday person, "Ms. Jane" wasn't up in the political stratosphere like politicians or big-time bankers - she was down to earth, right there in her office on Hyde's Lane, a daily presence - and almost like a family member to the almost 60 thousand members of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union. In the 70 plus years she was there, her personality came to define that institution, its success - amply demonstrated in the 600 million dollar asset base - was, really, a reflection of her personal imprint. Indeed, the legend of "Ms. Jane" is woven into the very fabric of Belizean existence.
Her grandson Henry Usher spoke about her credit union career and her political accomplishments at the PUP's Independence Hall today:
Henry Usher, Grandson
"The Price/Usher family and the family of Holy Redeemer Credit Union announce the passing of their matriarch Mrs. Jane Ellen Mary Usher. She was known by many names; Grany Jane, Lady Jane, Dr. Jane, Gem, by her late husband, Henry Eagle Usher and of ofcourse Miss Jane by all. She left us this morning at 5:05am December 12, in peaceful prayer surrounded by family. Rather fittingly on the feast day of Our Lady og Guadalupe, the Mother of Jesus."
"A little over a year ago Miss Jane suffered a fall from which she never fully recovered. When it became difficult for her to go to work, her son Clement set up her desk and computer at home at 5 Miles Price Bank, for she wanted to continue her service to the members owners of Holy Redeemer Credit Union. She never stop working, even when the pain was almost unbearable. A true testament to the perservaraince and work ethic of this good Belizean woman. Her name became synonimous with HRCH. How often thet are here, I need to go see Miss Jane or Ah gwine save mi money with Miss Jane,"
"She was transferred from SJC to HRCU in 1954 and at that time the assests would have been around $60,000. Today, the assests of HRCU are appraoching 600 million dollars, for over 57,000 members owners."
"In 1977, her brother George asked her to deliver the Pickstock seat for the People's United Party and she readily agreed, so that he could continue his march to independence. She was warmly received by everyone with not a household turning her back, even the UDPs. She told the voters that her life was one of hard work and that she wanted to work to improve the lives of everyone in Pickstock. Of course she won her seat and was made a deputy minister in the ministry of health, housing, cooperatives and credit unions and led the opening up of the healthcare system, making it available counrtywide."
"In 1984 the UDP won a landslide victory, but Miss Jane was able to secure her seat, the only PUP to win in Belize City. She is one of very few politicians who have serve in the lower house of parliament as minister of state, member of the opposition and in the upper house of parliament as president of the senate. The first woman to hold that post."
"She truly left her mark on Belizean politics and left behind a legacy to be admired. Many dont know that she sewed the very first Belizean flag right at the Price house on Pickstock Street."
"Miss Jane was married to the late Henry Charles Usher, also of credit union fame and was the mother of 10 children, not 12 as I've seen in certain sections of the media; 5 boys and 5 girls."
Jane Usher was born Jane Price, in Belize City in 1917. One of eleven children, she was the big sister to National Hero, George Price.
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