The Virgin Islands is mourning the loss of the Founder of the Family Support Network, FSN Marlene Penn Trotman who died Monday morning after a brief period of illness.
For many years Penn-Trotman hosted Marlene’s Kitchen on ZBVI Radio.
That programme with a simple title regularly dispensed wisdom with great humour, and Christmas time was a favorite where she shared her black cake recipes and others.
She was one of the 2014 recipients of the BVI Badge of Honor at an Investiture Ceremony at Government House and has been described as one of the Virgin Islands Cultural icons.
Apart from serving as founder of the Family Support Network, Penn Trotman went on to help launch Christmas on Main Street.
She also has served on the Prison Visiting Committee and the Food and Nutrition Committee, and was a member of the committee that is writing the territory’s National Policy on Aging.
Penn Trotman was also a staunch Anglican.
The Family Support Network is one of the critical organisations in the territory up to this day provides counselling, and support to families as well as their Food Pantry.
When the FSN celebrated its 30th anniversary, Penn Trotman sat down with 284’s Ronn Grant to discuss the formation of this network and its importance to the community.
