George Henry, Gleaner Writer
Phyllis Tomlinson - CONTRIBUTED
MALVERN, St. Elizabeth:
WHEN THE scores of mourners turned up at the Bethlehem Moravian Church last Saturday to pay their last respects to the late Phyllis Maud Tomlinson (nee Levy), who passed away on May 3, they were attending her thanksgiving service in remembrance of one who had lived her life well.
Those who attended the Bethlehem Moravian College (formerly Bethlehem Teachers College) would have remembered an individual who touched thousands of lives for almost 43 years, while making a sterling contribution through cutting and carving that institution's finances between 1955 and 1997 to make ends meet.
Phyllis was the second of seven children for Joseph and Estelle Levy of Russell's in South St. Elizabeth. She entered the world on August 5, 1930. However a brother and a sister predeceased her. She attended the Russell's Elementary School, the Waterloo High School in Black River, Ruseas High in Hanover and a commercial school in Kingston.
DILIGENT AND HONEST WORKER
By the time she got used to attending school, her mother died. She was seven years old and, as a consequence, had to be given up for adoption to the late Reverend H.G. Mitchell, an Anglican minister, and his wife, Alice, who was Phyllis's godmother.
Phyllis was first employed at the Bromfield Hardware in Mandeville, Manchester, and after a number of years there, she moved to Bethlehem in 1955 and stayed there while working first as an executive secretary and later as bursar.
Most persons who had anything to do with the St. Elizabeth tertiary institution, remembered Phyllis as the diligent, honest and thorough person who was also a no-nonsense individual. She was seen as part of a group of individuals who helped to make Bethlehem Moravian College what it now is.
Shortly after she had started working at the college, Phyllis met, fell in love with and finally married Oswald Tomlinson. The union produced O'Brian, Margaret, Noel and Jennifer. However, Oswald predeceased her 16 years ago.
CARING AND GENEROUS
The late Mrs. Tomlinson was not known as an individual who blew her own trumpet. She was kind, caring and compassionate and she never made her left hand know what her right hand knew. She was well-known for surprising especially her family members whenever she was aware that they were in need. She would send them generous financial gifts to assist in the aftermath of natural disasters or any other crisis.
She was greatly admired for her care for those who were sick, the lonely, the shut-ins and the depressed. She was always ready to give useful advice, especially for pain relief and would always make a telephone call to find out if her advice worked.
Phyllis loved all her children and grandchildren and she had an insatiable passion for exotic plants, as well as her pets. She was affiliated to the St. Elizabeth Horticultural Society and the Malvern Garden Club. The lover of plants always participated in exhibitions at the Black River Flower Show each Easter Monday and she was known for winning prizes. She never missed a flower show in Mandeville.
When her health started to deteriorate, her 'green house' became her favourite spot. There she went for inspiration on a daily basis while talking to all her plants and marvelling at their beauty.
STRONG CHRISTIAN CONVICTION
Phyllis, who was seen by her best friend of 45 years Mrs. Beverley McCreath as an individual who was frank, sincere, decent and one who had a strong Christian conviction, served the Bethlehem Moravian Church as an officer and treasurer.
In delivering the eulogy at the service, Mrs. McCreath said her late friend can be compared with the virtuous woman described in the Book of Proverbs 31.
Phyllis Tomlinson will be sadly missed, especially by the Bethlehem Moravian Church family. Her work and worth will always be remembered by thousands and her passing will be mourned for a long time to come.
The late mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mother-in-law, friend and associate will be missed by sons O'Brian and Noel; daughters Margaret and Jennifer, stepmother Hilma Levy and her three brothers and one sister.
Following the service, Phyllis' body was interred in the Bethlehem Moravian Church cemetery.
