‘Bawdacat’ in mourning - Comedian’s common-law wife dies of cancer

Comedian Reginald 'Bawdacat' Brumley is not in a jolly mood. The Portland native is mourning the loss of his common-law wife, Pauline Elaine Brown.

"Mi think we did a guh spend the holidays together, but mi a guh spend it alone," said Bawdacat as he reflected on the life of his partner of 17 years.

Brown was a constant in many of Bawdacat's comedic pieces. He referred to her as Maams. She lost her battle with cancer on Friday, December 11, two days before her 63rd birthday.

Bawdacat said that even though his partner was ill, he was looking forward to spending the Yuletide season with her.

"Our Christmas celebration would start right on her birthday on December 13. Mi did have big plans for her despite dis corona ting. Mi did a guh do something nice fi har at home and we guh drive out after and guh chill out," he said.

He chuckled lightly when he explained how much of a lioness she was, stating that Brown was a no-nonsense person who would not take disrespect from anyone.

"She was a jovial and loving person but she was a warrior. She nuh take bull crap from nobody, not even me. She was a real strong black woman. She was a real partner. She was my strength and someone that mi couldn't lose off. She was very supportive of my career and would give me everything to make me comfortable. Is like mi lose a mada when mi lose har," he said.

Bawdacat said Brown became severely ill over the past several months.

"She lived on oxygen and every morning I would have to go and get oxygen for her. Mi never make she run out of nothing enuh, plus her daughter and granddaughter never leave her side. Elaine fight hard to stay with we enuh. Hours before she dead she tell mi seh she a guh leave mi because she can't keep up anymore. Mi tell her say mi wish she could a stay with mi longer but she couldn't. She fight hard though," he said.