Veronica Sarah Abraham, born on August 17, 1927, in Venezuela to Cecilia and Henry Renwick, peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the age of 97. She was the eldest of their two children and was predeceased by her younger brother, Henry Renwick Jr., and her beloved husband, Claudius Abraham of Grand Bras, Grenada. Veronica and Claudius shared 62 years of marriage until his passing in 2014.
She is survived by her children, Damian Milton of Toronto and Nadine Florence of Exeter, New Hampshire. Nadine, married to the Reverend Robert H. Thompson, is the mother of Veronica's grandchildren, Camilla Maya Rossa and Isaiah Abraham. Veronica also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren: Marcus Rollock, Noah, Ava, and Jonah Blake, and Jayde, Kairo, Kyrie, and Trey Thompson. They were a source of immense joy and pride for her.
Although born in Venezuela, Veronica's heart belonged to Grenada. Her parents were Grenadian, instilling a deep connection to her heritage. Like many Grenadians of his generation, her husband, Claudius, emigrated to Trinidad for work after high school. They later returned to Grenada, married, and moved to Trinidad, where their children, Nadine and Damian, were born.
"Veronica's connection to gardening was deeply rooted in her family. Her mother, Cecilia, cultivated both sustenance and beauty in her Grenadian gardens, particularly in the mountains where she grew cocoa and nutmeg for income. These gardens were practical, providing food for the family, and Cecilia was a strong, resilient woman who smelled of the spices she worked with. This legacy was passed down to Veronica, who, as a young woman, worked as a school teacher before marrying Claudius. In Trinidad, she created her own flourishing flower garden, a vibrant space filled with roses, hibiscus, and anthuriums. This garden became a sanctuary, a place where she found solace and expressed her creativity. She used herbs and spices from the garden and her mother's to create flavorful meals. Her gardening taught her resilience, allowing her to escape life's challenges and find healing, courage, and beauty."
Veronica's connection to gardening was deeply rooted in her family. Her mother, Cecilia, cultivated both sustenance and beauty in her Grenadian gardens.
My grandmother’s garden was in the mountains and there she had cocoa, cloves, oranges, and nutmeg. These were cash crops that she would sell to add to the family’s monthly income. Nutmegs, ground provisions, fruit trees, and anything that was bushy. I don’t remember her planting many flowers, I think she thought that they were too fussy, and you couldn’t feed your family with them. Granny was about providing food for the family, and a little to sell to bring in extra cash. She was strong, soft-spoken, and seemed to lose herself in the process. My grandmother seemed so strong to me, she always smelled like spices, you could smell the cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon in her clothes, the raw cocoa on her hands, and her hair always smelled like coconut oil. My grandmother worked hard, she was resilient to her core, loved her children deeply and was source of courage to her daughter.
This legacy was passed down to Veronica, who, as a young woman, worked as a school teacher before marrying Claudius. In Trinidad, she created her own flourishing flower garden, a vibrant space filled with roses, hibiscus, and anthuriums. This garden became a sanctuary, a place where she found solace and expressed her creativity. She used herbs and spices from the garden and her mother's to create flavorful meals. My mother’s gardening taught me a-lot about resilience. She could escape from her homesickness, disappointment, frustrating husband and children and the challenges of life by losing her self in creating something different.
Gardening was healing, it was courage it was beauty.
After 20 years in Trinidad, Veronica and Claudius were inspired to move to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In the late 1960s, her friend Yvonne Perez had written to her about the opportunities and welcoming atmosphere of Canada. Claudius traveled there first, quickly found employment, and a year later, Veronica, Damian, and Nadine joined him. Their first home was a small apartment on College Street, where they embraced the immigrant experience and formed lasting friendships.
"In Toronto, Veronica flourished, working as a keypunch operator for the Royal Bank of Canada until her retirement and creating a warm and welcoming home. The Abraham home became a haven for many immigrants from Grenada and Trinidad, offering support, community, and Veronica’s amazing meals. Her generosity extended beyond family, providing a welcoming space for anyone in need.
Though not traditionally religious, Veronica and Claudius lived a life of faith, exemplifying the spirit of 2 Corinthians 9:6b-8: '…the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.’
"In her final days, Veronica was surrounded by love. She received devoted care from many, and cherished visits from dear friends and former students. Beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family called daily to share memories. Her children, Damian (Nohsakere) and Nadine, were by her side until the end. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed."
May her soul rest in peace, and may her memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her."
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