As Raphael Waldron reflects on the tragic death of his daughter, 21-year-old Loydicia Waldron, his memories of her becoming a masquerade dancer at the tender age of four remain etched in his mind. They remind him that although she died young, she made her mark in an art form she passionately loved.
“She was good at masquerade dancing. From the age of four, she was on the streets flouncing. You know she won the last Bam Bam Sally competition,” a sad and reflective Waldron told Kiskadee Watch during a recent interview.
The younger Waldron, who was eight months pregnant at the time, tragically lost her life by drowning at the Unity, Mahaica Beach on May 31.
What made the incident even more tragic was that it was not only Waldron and her unborn child who died, but also her fiancé and the father of the child, Andri Francis. He had entered the dangerous waters in an attempt to save his struggling partner.
Their bodies were found on June 2, and they were both laid to rest on Sunday, June 7.
The Guyana Police Force, in a press release, said the couple encountered difficulties while swimming at Unity Beach. Preliminary investigations revealed that Waldron began drifting farther out into the Atlantic Ocean and called out for help. Francis attempted to rescue her, but both were overpowered by the strong current and disappeared beneath the water.
An alarm was immediately raised and searches were conducted along the beach and surrounding areas. However, initial efforts to locate the couple proved unsuccessful. It was days later that their bodies were found, leaving both families in a deep state of mourning.
It was her favourite
The elder Waldron shared that he introduced the art form to all four of his children and his wife, Roxanne Waldron. The family, who hails from the village of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, is well known for performing masquerade throughout Guyana.
He said he has been involved in the art form for 43 years and is a member of the Masquerade Association of Guyana, an organisation where his daughter was also well known.
“It was her favourite thing to do. Even when she was pregnant, she would dance because it was something that she just loved,” the grieving father said.
Waldron, who has represented the art form throughout the Caribbean and farther afield, said he grew up in a masquerade family, as all of his siblings were known masqueraders. As such, introducing his own family to the tradition was almost a formality.
“All of them fell in love with it. The last time Loydicia danced was in February of this year. She was dancing while pregnant at the time; that is how much she loved it,” he said.
For Roxanne, her second child was special.
“She was such a jovial child and always helpful. She would help her younger brother and sister and never say no. She was my hairdresser. I don’t know how to move forward because she would always say, ‘Mommy, come let me fix your hair,’” the grieving mother said.
“She was a wonderful daughter…” she added, trailing off as tears welled in her eyes.
Roxanne said she was at the beach that day but did not see the couple struggling in the water.
“She is the one who made me go to the beach because I didn’t want to go. And when she was calling for help, I didn’t even hear or see. Somebody had to come and tell me, and after that I never saw them again. She had just brought back her niece from the water and then went back,” the woman recalled.
“Up to now, I still don’t know what happened to them. I keep asking God to tell me what happened,” she lamented.
Waldron was expecting her first child with Francis, and the couple had been eagerly preparing for their baby shower, which was scheduled for July 25. Invitations had already been distributed.
Enthusiastic performer
The Masquerade Association of Guyana Inc., in a press release, remembered Loydicia as “a young and enthusiastic performer of Guyana’s masquerade tradition.”
“She participated in numerous schools’ masquerade competitions and demonstrated a genuine passion for preserving and promoting this cherished aspect of our cultural heritage. Her vibrant spirit and commitment to the art form left a positive impression on many within the masquerade community,” the association said.
The association also recognised the longstanding contributions of her father, who is band leader of the Victoria Lucky Stars Masquerade Band, and his sister, Jacqueline Charles, band leader and founder of Fyah in the Land Masquerade Band.
“The Waldron family has been deeply involved in the preservation and promotion of masquerade traditions on the East Coast of Demerara and throughout Guyana for generations,” it stated.
Sharing his sentiments from Canada, association member and musician Edwin Mansook said:
“I am saddened to learn of the recent loss within our masquerade community—a young and promising masquerader. It is deeply felt.”
President of the association, Jocelyne Josiah, expressed deep sorrow upon hearing the tragic news.
“Though I am away from Guyana at this time, my thoughts and prayers are with Raphael, Jacqueline, their family, and all who mourn this heartbreaking loss. The passing of Loydicia and Andri is a profound tragedy for the masquerade community and especially for the Waldron family, whose contribution to preserving this cultural art form has been invaluable. May they find strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time,” she said.
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