A nurse who lost her husband in an accident in April 2025 will graduate from the University of Guyana on Tuesday, November 17, despite days when she wanted to walk away.

Nurse Stacey Boatswain will receive her nursing degree from the University of Guyana (UG) College of Medical Sciences' Department of Nursing, the university said.

Her husband, a driver with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), died while returning from Ituni, where he had travelled with a team to assess soil conditions for cotton planting. His death came during the second semester of her final year.

Boatswain said she put her grief aside to care for her children, Sarah, 11, who was preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment, and Simeon, 22.
"I had to be a mother. I was not focused on me. My daughter was in Common Entrance class, and I had to focus on her," she said.

She said she then immersed herself in work and noticed she was becoming increasingly aggressive towards her children and colleagues. After someone asked whether she needed to speak to someone, she sought help from a psychologist. She also arranged support for Sarah, who had become more introverted.

"I tried to drown myself in work so I wouldn't have to face it. I am not functioning normally again, as yet, but every day it gets better," she said.
Boatswain maintained good grades, but said her group members took on extra responsibilities when she struggled.

"My group members really filled in the gap. They picked up the slack and really supported me. I am surprised I got some As," she said.
She considered taking a year off, but a friend, Charie Marcus, who is also graduating, urged her to continue.

"My friend said, 'You will not leave me; you will overcome this. You will go through,'" Boatswain said.

Sir Ross of UG's Berbice Campus and Dr Holder also checked on her, while her best friend, Kevita Chase, offered regular encouragement. She credited colleagues and supervisors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for shaping her as a professional.

Boatswain said her faith sustained her.

"If God could provide for the birds of the air, why would He not provide for me? God always provided for me," she said.

She advised others in similar circumstances to choose carefully the people they keep close, noting that not everyone has good intentions.

"If he was here, he would have been at my graduation. I know for sure he is very proud of me," she said of her husband.