Former minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe passes away

May 26, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News- Former Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, passed away early Sunday morning following a heart attack, her party, the Alliance For Change (AFC), has said.

She was 64 and a mother of two adult children. According to a short biography of Garrido-Lowe on the website of the Parliament of Guyana, she was a businesswoman for many years and has also made stellar contributions to the field of education, health journalism, advertising, graphic design and insurance.

A sports enthusiast, she served on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control and on the Hinterland Youth and Sports Development Association. As a politician, she was a member of The United Force (TUF) for fifteen years, before joining the Alliance for Change in 2011, the Parliament of Guyana said.

In a statement, the AFC said it is deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of “our longest-serving and most dedicated members, Former Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who died early this morning as a result of a heart attack.” Garrido-Lowe was not only a stalwart of our party from its earliest days but a fearless advocate for the people of Guyana, the AFC said.

“She served with distinction as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs from 2015 to 2020, where she worked tirelessly to empower Amerindian communities and protect their rights and livelihoods. Her passionate voice, unwavering commitment, and sincere compassion earned her the respect and admiration of all who worked alongside her.”

As minister, the AFC said Garrido-Lowe was a trailblazer — a woman of courage, integrity, and deep conviction. “She dedicated her life to public service and to the cause of building a better Guyana. Her contributions to national development and to the growth of the AFC will forever be remembered and cherished. We extend our deepest condolences to her children, family members, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. Valerie’s passing is a profound loss not only to our party but to the entire nation.”

On its website, the AFC said that the plight of single mothers is one of the platforms that Garrido-Lowe was passionate about, herself a proud parent of two children, who she raised as a single parent. “She is also a grandmother of two wonderful grandchildren, one of whom is autistic and has cerebral palsy.”

Garrido-Lowe was the secretary of the Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society and a member of the Disabled Persons Organization of Guyana. Born to now-retired headmaster, Ignatius Garrido, and Maria Josepha Garrido of Moruca, Region #1, Garrido-Lowe, whose educational pursuits would later bring her to Georgetown, had firsthand knowledge of the needs and problems of persons living in Hinterland Guyana, another one of her platforms, the AFC said. Garrido- Lowe says: “I believe there are workable solutions available that will enhance the lives of all Guyanese, and I am prepared to dedicate my energies towards making the dreams of my people come through.” A firm believer in God, she believes that he has a plan for each and every one of us; hers is to serve her brothers and sisters of this great nation – Guyana, the AFC said.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament, Cathy Hughes, writing on her Facebook page, said: “I’ve lost my partner in the struggle for a better Guyana. Valerie, we spoke many times yesterday as you were being medivac to GT after a heart attack. Last night we spoke for the last time, promising to connect today. Now I’m at the hospital but you have left us. How could this happen? I was not ready to say goodbye. But are we ever? Recall in this pic our first day in parliament.”  The National Congress of Women- the women’s arm of the PNCR, also extended sincere condolences on the passing of Garrido-Lowe. “To her family, the AFC Women’s arm and the Members of the AFC. She shall be missed. May her Soul Rest in Peace,” the NCW said.

Another Member of Parliament, Ronald Cox, said, “Death is not a foe, but an inevitable adventure.” “To the family, relatives, friends, comrades and general residents of Kwebana, Region 1, I extend sincerest condolences to you on the passing of Valerie Garrido-Lowe.”

“It was a few weeks ago, we discussed so much and several commitments were made, but God has other plans for her,” Cox wrote on his Facebook page.

AFC leader, Nigel Hughes, also in a message on his Facebook page, said: “We have lost one of our best and most faithful members. To the family of Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe, we extend our most profound sympathies at this devastating loss. We would like to express our deep and sincere gratitude to you for having shared her with us. Her contribution both to the party and the country will be recorded. Val, travel safely. May your wonderful soul soar over us.”

PNCR Member and MP, Ganesh Mahipaul, in a terse statement, said he woke up to the news that Valerie Garrido-Lowe is no more. “She served as a Minister and MP of our dear Guyana. Every day death is reminding us that life is just for a short while. Death is the only permanent. Condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.”

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