Befitting send-off for Pauline Reid

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce's first female president Pauline Reid received an elegant send-off from her family and close friends during her funeral service at the St James Parish Church in Montego Bay last Saturday.

Former prime minister, Bruce Golding, came to pay his final respect to the stellar businesswoman and philanthropist, who, up until her death, advocated for the continued development of the city of Montego Bay.

With an array of beautiful flowers and several portraits of Reid's smile adorning the St James Parish Church, there were few tears as the ceremony took a celebratory tone and highlighted the achievements and persona that characterised Ried.

According to Reverend Canon Justin Nemhard, Reid was not afraid to give service to the community and urged others to fill the gap in championing the cause of the less fortunate and continued development of the city.

Gallant spirit

At the time of her death, Reid was the second vice-president of the 79-year-old Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce. Last December, she launched her book, Montego Bay Jamaica: An Awe-Inspiring Photographic Journey.

Chamber president, Davon Crump, highlighted her indomitable spirit in ensuring that the community in which she lived and worked was given priority by the Government and other stake-holders.

Crump described Pauline as great and fearless. He said she had a positive impact on the Chamber and left a rich legacy for them to emulate.

"She served Montego Bay well, and even in her book, she left us with images of where the city has come from and where it is today that will serve as part of our literary history for future generations," Crump said.

Some of the prominent Montego Bay residents who attended the two-hour-long ceremony included Mayor of Montego Bay Glendon Harris and his wife, Angella; former mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair, and his wife, Glenette; Member of Parliament (MP) for Central St James Lloyd B. Smith; MP for North West St James Dr Horace Chang and his wife, Paulette; and businessman Godfrey Dyer.