Trelawny educator laid to rest

Gwendolyn Dawes Ramsay lived a life of dedicated service. Ramsay was born in Sherwood Content, Trelawny, on October 29, 1929, and died peacefully on May 27 in Reserve district, where she returned to live after officially retiring from teaching.

At her thanksgiving service, held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Falmouth on June 30, eighteen tributes reflecting on the life she lived were delivered.

Ramsay was remembered as a faithful believer, passionate educator, community advocate, and a loving family caregiver.

Merle Brown, speaking on behalf of the church, remembered her as "a devoted Christian and ardent elder. She lived her life according to the principles of the Seventh-day Adventist movement."

"At church, she was the choir director, she preached, taught, and mentored. Elder Gwen was always punctual and gave respect to all. She loved the Lord and believed that the work of God must be done," she said.

Ramsay graduated from the Moneague Teachers' College in 1967. She taught at several schools and finished her public school teaching as principal of Dundee All-Age.

Current principal Michelle Johnson said Ramsay was guided by the belief that "every child will learn. It just needs a little extra from the teacher. She was a teacher who gave dedicated service to the profession."

Claudia Clayton, Ramsay's daughter, said her mother was "a spiritual leader who made sure we prayed every morning before we did anything else".

"My mother never accepted mediocrity and loved all the children who came into her care and invested in them. Mummy was a woman of fashion, and her attire reflected her desire to be fashionable. She was a disciplinarian and was never afraid to use the strap both at school and at home," she said.

Ramsay was buried in the Reserve Cemetery.