Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis (July 23, 2007)
The life and vast contributions of Renee Digiulio-Naismith were celebrated in song, dance and poetry at the opening of the Youth Department’s Summer Residential Camp on Sunday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Hon. Sam Condor was among persons paying tribute to Renee at the Zion Moravian Church in Basseterre, who was described as “naturally caring and giving and a servant of God and children.”
That spirit was evident in the region as she used the resources of the Naismith International Basketball Foundation (NIBF) and her links as a travel agent to generate support for the continued growth and expansion of the Department of Youth’s Summer Residential Camp.
Her efforts were successful as she raised tens of thousands of dollars every year in her home state of Chicago, U.S.A. and facilitated the participation of children throughout the Caribbean in the educational camp.
Although much was done, there was more yet to do. That work will now have to be continued by her husband Ian (pronounced Yon) Naismith as Renee died on February 21, 2007 from breast cancer.
“Renee loved kids and she loved St. Kitts,” Ian told SKNIS. “It was her home away from home.”