Vireta E. Thompson

A person's life is defined to a great extent by their values and passions. It's also defined by the magnitude of their impact on society, which has direct correlation to how passionately they instill these values into every person they interact with throughout life. Today, in this gathering, we unite to honor the life and times of one who has played an important part in molding the structure of a family and a village through these important character traits – a pillar of our family and the larger community – a great woman - Vireta Elsada Thompson. I am sure many of you, depending on the capacity in which she touched your life, would have many ways of describing this wonder of a woman. She was a worthy wife, matchless matriarch of a mother (there was none like her), shrewd and sensitive sister, frank and forthright friend, admirable and affectionate aunty, giving and goodhearted grandmother, a prodigious provider, and above all, with a necessary aberration of alliteration, a God fearing woman!! She was blessed with a quick wit and mind as sharp as a razor even up to the time of her death. Vireta was born on December 2, 1930 in Llagora, Cuba to Aida and Joseph Banton. Unfortunately, her dad passed away before she was born. She was the youngest of four children and enjoyed being pampered by her siblings. Three years later Vireta's mother, with her children, migrated to St Elizabeth, Jamaica. In Jamaica, Vireta attended the Ginger Hill Elementary school, and was later taught the important skills of cooking and dressmaking, the latter would later become the trade she turned to earn for her family. At the tender age of eighteen Vireta met and married the man of her dreams – Abner Garriques. However, just four short years later Abner died and she became a widowed-mother of three children Daphne (Polly), Lloyd, and Marie (Girly). She did not falter or let the tragedy of losing her husband at such a young age define her. Instead she relied on her inner strength, that matchless matriarchal determination described earlier, faith in God and love for her children to pull her through those challenging times. She employed her seamstress skills to prodigiously provide for her and her children. She made clothing for the community as well as her children. Vireta eventually relocated to Newcastle and sometime after relocating to Newcastle she found love again. Mom met and married Javan Thompson and went on to live in Spring Hill Portland. This union produced eight children and gained seven step – children, three of whom has survived her. Javan also predeceased her in 1995, as well as two of their biological sons, Basil and Donald in 1983. It was later the same year, 1983, our mom migrated to the United States from Jamaica, where she lived and worked in New York. She did so without her children, but quickly got to work processing permanent residency for all her children and their families, so they were able to join her before long. Mom taught us – correction – drilled into us many things that has held and continues to hold us in good stead today – good manners and sound moral values. She believes in traditional values and, although we had a strong father figure in our lives, she was the one to administer disciplinary actions and believes her directives should be executed as given. If one would dear do otherwise, you would hear her total and complete name and title – “a me Vireta Elsada Banton Garriques Thompson is the mother and its either you D-O or G-O”. These values and her disciplinarian approach have made her children who we are today, where we can take our place in society as world citizens, and also pass these down to our children. She had many friends of all ages, all different class, and of all different race. Regardless of their background they would no doubt tell you that mom treated them in the same way and was not shy to tell her friends exactly how she felt in any disagreement. Yes, she was frank and forthright and fearless in this philosophical approach to dealing with everyone. Mom believed in good education and encouraged us to ensure that our kids are well-educated. She believed in old school approach in today's world, but was also embraced ever-changing technology so she was able stay connected with the younger generation – her children, grands, and great-grands. She could shoot you a text, or make Whatsapp calls. Oh Yes!! And she also owned a Google Home Smart Device. Mom is a giving and goodhearted grandmother and indeed the matriarch of the family. She would baby sit for several of her grandchildren from very young age and tried her best not to miss graduation and special events from pre-school to college. She loves to give and almost always never attend church without taking a package that would be of benefit to someone. Our mom feared God, loved God, and accepted Him as her Savior and Lord. She was baptized by her son, Bishop Sylvester Thompson, and was a member of Vision Worship Centre where he was also her Pastor until she left to live in New Jersey. As fate would have it, he will also commit her body to the grave. Mom was never a sickly person, however, in 2012 she became sick and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) which seemed to put her on a downward spiral. In spite of that she remained relatively healthy until about two years ago when she started showing increasing deterioration in health, consistent with a failing heart and other organs. There are several people in the congregation today who will miss Mom almost as much as her children and grandchildren. There are several honorary children and grandchildren, sons and daughters who will certainly miss Mom, but will forever carry her in their heart instead. Mom was never afraid to die. As she approached the end and even more so on the day before she died, she directed Marie to call all her children, grand and great-grand so that she could say goodbye and of course give her final directives. Mom told everyone who visited her and called – so many people – goodbye, because she knew that she was dying. Her dying wish is for all her immediate and honorary family, as well as friends and acquaintances is that we all „live good‟. Hours before she laid her head into eternal rest, she found the strength to raise her head up off the pillow and sang with that strong soprano voice. She sang, “I must have the Saviour with me for I dare not walk alone”. To cherish her memory Vireta leaves behind Daphne, Lloyd, Sylvester, Marie, Venus, Ivy, Judith, Lilieth, Oliver and Val, step- children Icylyn, Sebert and Edward. Children-in- law Cecil, Norma, Edwin, Donald, Peter, Paul, 22 grandchildren, 23 great-grand, host of other relatives and friends including many who acknowledge her as grandma although there is no biological relationship. Vireta Thompson our Rock, Mom, Grandma, friend, her death is a loss in size and proportion in the family. She will be immensely missed and warmly remembered.

Vireta E. Thompson

December 2, 1930 - February 10, 2020