Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

'Miss Lou's' long-time friend, Rosie Johnston. - Contributed

Some things are destined to happen. And Rosie Johnston was destined to meet the late Louise Bennett-Coverley and her husband Eric Coverley. Mrs. Johnston who emigrated to Canada in September 1979, had worked her way up from loans officer to manager of the Royal Bank of Canada's Eglinton & Danforth branch, Toronto, when the call came.

Someone wanted to make an appointment for Miss Lou who had recently moved to the area to open an account. The meeting changed Mrs. Johnston's life. That day in March 1988, more than an account was opened, a life-long friendship developed and wherever Miss Lou and her husband went, Rosie was just a phone call away.

"Even after Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, a call came from the Coverleys who were there for a visit, to say that all was well. Miss Lou met Rosie's husband Lloyd in 1990 and subsequently there was a foursome for all social and other outings.

"When my husband died in 1998, they both became concerned for my well-being, especially that I was alone in my house," she told Flair.

Fate Stepped In

But fate stepped in when an intruder tried to break into Mrs. Johnston's house. Thank God for a good alarm system because the intruder was unsuccessful. But once again Miss Lou extended the invitation for Mrs. Johnston to come sleep at her place till the intruder was caught. And so began a six-year, closely-nurtured relationship that ended like most great marriages do 'till death do us part'.

Final Hours

But fast forward to Wednesday, July 26, what were the final hours on earth for Jamaica's dear departed cultural icon like?

The night before she died, Miss Lou had spent a wonderful few hours reminiscing with fellow thespian Claudette Bonnie from London, England. Both had shared the stage in an unforgettable production during the '80s when Miss Lou had fallen into a swimming pool.

"Bonnie had tracked down Miss Lou on her website and called us to request the visit during her upcoming family trip to Canada. With a party of four, she came over after supper, the night before Miss Lou died, and it was a lively evening. "It was taped by one of the visitors too," Rosie said.

Later in her bed, Miss Lou kept on reminiscing on how nice the evening was; she was happy, she said, "Thank you Rosie, you are such a good person," and finally went to sleep as she always does, with a light on.

Last Day

Miss Lou was able to walk unaided that Wednesday morning, as usual, and went to the bathroom then returned to bed at a little after seven.

"We were to have attended a function at the consulate at which someone was to arrive from New Jersey to make a presentation to her," Mrs. Johnston said. That's why I was at home. We prepared cornmeal porridge (she had it every day) and she went to the table as usual and had it after which she took her tablet."

Mrs. Johnston related the story of Miss Lou's tooth falling out while she ate toast with marmalade and how the comedy queen even joked about what her toothless smile would look like at an important function later. After calling the dentist, Mrs. Johnston went to the bathroom and while there, Miss Lou's attendant shouted out for her to come immediately.

Slumped in Chair

"I saw her slumped in her chair so I felt for a pulse and I called the paramedics who told me to put her on the floor, but we couldn't because she was heavy. We did mouth to mouth resuscitation and she coughed," Mrs. Johnston said.

The paramedics arrived, worked on her and took her off to the hospital. Meanwhile, Mrs. Johnston made the relevant telephone calls to notify relatives and the consulate, cancel dental appointment and then headed for the hospital. She was met by the chaplain who told her they had revived Miss Lou twice.

In the room, Mrs. Johnston held her dear friend's hand and talked to her without getting any reaction. Something told her to sing Miss Lou's favourite little song: Walk good on your way and good duppy walk with you. Miraculously, there was upward movement on the heart monitor so Mrs. Johnston decided to say the Lord's prayer and the 23rd Psalm. Her final words to her friend were: "Thank you for the amazing love you gave me every day. I will never forget it."

Miss Lou's monitor flickered again and she took a gentle breath and it flat-lined without any sign of trauma or pain in her.

There were some tears then because Mrs. Johnston had never seen death before; and there have been many tears since.

Misses Most

What she misses most is the personal relationship. Miss Lou was the first person she saw in the mornings and the last at nights. On her departure to work in the evenings, she'd call out, "Mamma Lou, I'm leaving now," She had a special kissing spot reserved only for Miss Lou who kissed others on their cheek and at the invitation to 'nose me' would get a peck on the spot.

Outstanding Memory

Mrs. Johnston's most outstanding memory of Miss Lou is her generosity with her time. She was multi-faceted and was held in high esteem internationally, yet she was so humble. "She had no airs and was never unwilling to share her knowledge, stories or time."

For now, as Mrs. Johnston lives alone in the rented apartment she shared with her friend, she is struck by the silence. No longer: "Rosie Dosie, is you come? You come?" There no more someone happy to see her at the end of the day, but she can feel Miss Lou's powerful presence in the place. "After all, she is good duppy, the place is peaceful and calm. Her voice is still on the answering machine and I have no plans to remove it."

Jamaica's Ambassador of Culture, the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou) is seen blowing out candles to celebrate her 86th birthday on Wednesday September 7, 2005 at her home in Toronto, Canada. Miss Lou, who received calls from many well-wishers, including Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, is joined by some friends. From left are: Rosie Johnston, Judge Pamela Appelt, Fay Chin, Sister Mary Andrew (Franciscan Missionary Sister), Raphaelita Walker and artist, Darryl McCalla. - Contributed