Rhoda pays heartfelt tribute to her remarkable mother

Central Manchester Member of Parliament (MP), Rhoda Moy Crawford, has penned a deeply moving tribute to her late mother, Donnette Delores Falconer, who passed away at the age of 58.

This first-time parliamentarian expressed that she has never known such excruciating pain as she does now. Falconer's unexpected departure has left an immense void, but Crawford has found comfort in cherishing the treasured memories they shared. She highlighted three aspects of her mother's life that hold a special place in her heart: Falconer's strength, unwavering commitment, and remarkable resilience.

She fondly recalled their early years when they lived in a one-bedroom wattle and daub house with an extended family of 17 in Grey Ground, Manchester.

She vowed never to forget how much you sacrificed and how she felt loved, protected and cared for.

"Although there were many times that we went to bed hungry, and although we lacked material luxuries, I was never made to feel poor or unhappy. You had no limits on what I could achieve or who I could become," the young legislator said.

Crawford said that during her primary school years in Knockpatrick, she witnessed her mother's unwavering commitment to her family. She said Falconer, affectionately called Darling, woke up early to venture to Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, to sell goods.

"I recall my many trips with you on Saturdays and how I enjoyed helping you to sell your goods. On days when I didn't go with you, I waited up until late into the nights for your return home. You wanted to make sure you had enough money to pay your monthly bills and to send me to school," she said.

Recalling that she got accepted to Shortwood Teachers' College at age 15, Crawford said matriculating to a tertiary institution was something they dreamt about. However, the family faced financial constraints, and Falconer had no funds for tuition or the necessary supplies.

"I recall that phone call you made to your sister asking if she could act as a guarantor as you prepared to 'jump' on the 5 a.m. bus that would take you from Mandeville to Kingston so that you could burrow a portion of the fees from a lending agency," she said.

In the midst of her grief and profound loss, Crawford found solace in the knowledge that her mother had the opportunity to witness her becoming a MP and her son's enrollment in university. She cherished the fact that her mother had experienced many of the things she had once hoped for.

"What a journey we have had my always-smiling mama. I will carry you forever in my heart. Death has stolen all our future plans, but it has not stolen all our many precious memories of yesterday," she said.