St Clair ‘Major’ Leacock, Parliamentary Representative for Central Kingstown has referred to the woman that he had an extramarital affair with for some time as his soul mate.
He made the comment after speaking publicly – for the second time – about his relationship with Journet Baptiste who died on April 1 doing during the ‘Obituaries’ segment of Parliament on May 9.
He first spoke about his relationship with Baptiste while hosting the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) sponsored program New Times back in April, days after the woman’s death where he spoke then about the experience of being present during his former lover’s final moments alive.
“She contributed significantly to my private life,” the MP said in Parliament.
He complimented her on her role as administrative assistant at his company saying that she “looked over the company in a way that allowed me to do other things.”
“And there is no doubt that the brand and the success that the company enjoys today owes her a debt of gratitude as she attended to the things that allowed my children abroad to live a comfortable life,” Leacock continued.
In the world of politics, the NDP MP acknowledged that she was integral to his success as a candidate in the Green Hill community where according to him, she was well loved.
“She never missed a political meeting that I attended and was always a good guide to my contributions – it is no doubt that the New Democratic Party is better off with the contribution that she made.”
Leacock spoke of the role she played in his personal life saying that she did much including ensuring that he took his supplement, and she assisted in his prostate care, vision and eating.
“She even took me off one of my favourite beverages over the Lenten season, and I haven’t returned to it since – and I may never,” he told Parliament.
“She was a fountain of strength in much of what I did, and I am a much better person for what she contributed to me and my own family…her passing is something I will never forget and forever live with for the rest of my life,” he said before he almost lost composure.
According to Leacock, she passed with him holding her hand on the way to the hospital.
“And I remember distinctly she asked for oxygen, she asked for forgiveness to all she may have harmed, or she may have hurt and she asked the good Lord to have mercy on her soul.”
Baptiste was diagnosed with polycystic kidney failure saying that attempts were made for her to have a transplant, and that although a donor had been identified, her body rejected it.
“But although all her suffering, she remained a good and descent soul,” Leacock said.
“I refer to her as a soul mate unapologetically – I shall miss her because she made that difference to the culture of my life,” he added.