Audrey Hinchcliffe and P.J. Patterson show that although the their combined ages may be well over 135 years, their joints are still supple! - CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANPOWER MAINTENANCE Services' queen of clean, Madelene Audrey Hinchcliffe, C.D., let it all hang out on Saturday, June 17, at the Caymanas Golf Club in St. Catherine. Soft lights glowed behind cream coloured drapes around the perimeter of the room with groups of tables for intimate groupings to gather. The large video screen and trophy display area completed Bert Rose's simple but sophisticated décor. That was the setting in which Mrs. Hinchcliffe celebrated her most recent national honour.
With daughter Dr. Annette Hinchcliffe-Moseley and son Garth Hinchcliffe by her side, Mrs. Hinchcliffe greeted each guest with a warm hug upon arrival. She also snagged the opportunity for a photo with each. The music of Dwight Richards and friends accompanied the proceedings.
The very witty Blossom O'Meally-Nelson MC'd the formalities in fine style and distributed her jokes liberally and ordered everyone to "laugh even if you don't' get it." Songbird Maria Myrie did a special rendition of God Made You Special for Mrs. Hinchcliffe before everyone partook of the scrumptious buffet.
The Hinchcliffe children made a special presentation to former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson who, in his capacity as a lawyer and family friend, was instrumental in assisting with the legal work to set up Mrs. Hinchcliffe's first company many years ago.
TRIBUTES GALORE
In his expression of thanks, Mr. Patterson, who later danced the night away, said he was proud to see that a woman had succeeded in business the way Mrs. Hinchcliffe had.
There were tributes from Marcia Forbes of the Powerful Women Perform for Charity concert series, who spoke on behalf of the National Geriatric Dance Troupe. She expressed the wish that the fellowship they enjoyed would continue for a long time.
The Gleaner's Barbara Ellington read excerpts from Mrs. Hinchcliffe's story in the popular Monday Interview series which summarised the journey of the business woman from Trelawny to New York, to Guyana and back to Eureka Road in Kingston.
Son-in-law Leslie Moseley spoke about the way his mother-in-law had positively touched his life and those of his siblings. "You have been an inspiration to me and I'm glad to share this moment with you."
In her reply, Mrs. Hinchcliffe spoke of having the courage to trust her intuition and the importance of friends upon whom she could call at any time of day or night. She urged everyone to, "... celebrate life, enjoy good humour, do what you can yourself or it may never get done if you wait on someone else. Yell for help when you're down and treasure your friends and family."
Guests in attendance included Leslie Moseley and son, Cameron Mosley from Atlanta. Also, Susan Soares; Pamela and Audrey Williams with son Rory, Keith Johnson from Miami, Audrey Chin, Marcia and Richard Forbes, Scarlette Gillings, Thyra and Derrick Heaven, Vereka Bennett, Christine Steele, Beverly Alleyne, and Clelia de Barieto Hunter. We also spotted Gerthlyn Holman, Paulette Daley, Rosalyn Campbell, T.V Allen, Lloyd Vermont, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Goldson, Ward Mills, Thomas and Judith Ramsey, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Buckle, Kareen and Edmond Jones, Vilma Charlton, Michael Reid, Michael Distant, Garth Hichcliffe, Barbara Rhoden, Norma Henry, Sonia Nesbeth, Dorette Fielding, Ronnie Coke and wife, Ethlyn Norton-Coke, Jennifer Griffiths and many more.
