OBITUARY

The only female child born to Randolph E. Laing and his wife Alice (nee Dawes), now deceased, was born in her paternal grandparents’ home in Brown’s Hall, St. Catherine.  It was shortly after midnight on Sunday, October 19, 1958.

She was named Velores Audrey Leanthe, Velores from her cousin Ura and Leanthe in memory of her paternal grandmother.

Like her birth, which was premature at 7 months, her entire life was to be eventful.  Early in childhood it was recognized that she had the Sickle Cell disease.  This was to impact her life, help shape her character, and make her the real champion that she was to all of us.

Another individual may have been daunted in the face of her illness which caused her to be hospitalized more times than we can recall but not Velores.  In spite of challenges Velores, lovingly called Vel or later Auntie Vel, defied the odds and lived a full life as any and a fuller life than many.

She attended Miss Eva’s Preparatory School, in Clark’s Town; Granville All Age, and the William Knibb Memorial High, Martha Brae.

Over the years she worked at the Jamaica Movement for Adult Literacy (JAMAL), the William Knibb Memorial High School as Manager for the Canteen, the Kelly Lawson Training Centre as Trainer in Home Economics and for more than twenty years at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Trelawny.

She was active in the life of the United Church, primarily at Falmouth where she has been a member since her teenage years; and within the community.  She was a member of the United Church Women’s Fellowship, the William Knibb Past Students Association, the Trelawny (North) Parish Advisory Committee on Women’s Affairs and the Optimist Club of Falmouth.  

Like her mother she was a creative homemaker and excelled in culinary arts, gaining scores of medals and national awards in the annual competitions of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. 

Like her mother, she loved her family.  She was committed to her father, her brothers, nephews and nieces.  She was loyal to her cousins, caring of her aunts and uncles and a true friend to all.

She gave so much to others, yet asked nothing for her self.  A Phenomenal Woman!