EULOGY OF MRS. OLIVE LINDSAY

EULOGY OF MRS. OLIVE LINDSAY nee MORRISON
also called SISTER OLIVE, SISTER LINDSAY, ‘TEACHER’
Sunrise: January 21, 1936
Sunset: December 30, 2020
(A tribute on behalf on the family)

Who is this great lady we even attempt to eulogize? Admittedly, preparing to write this remembrance was more than challenging to adequately “paint a picture” of this indomitable woman of God, prayer warrior, missionary, choir director, songbird, community builder, educator for excellence etc.
She was born in Porus, Manchester on January 21, 1936, to Mrs. Agatha Thomas-Morrison and Sydney Morrison. She was the first of eight children, nurtured by a doting mother and a militant, providing father.

Education
She gained her education at the Porus Infant (now Basic) School, Primary School, and Secondary School. Continuing education included the First and Second Jamaica Local and Third Jamaica Local Exam with a major in Teaching. The final examination consisted of eight subjects, which all must be passed simultaneously or the failure of even one, the whole eight subjects attracted a re-sit!

Sister Olive came through with a stellar performance and passed with “flying colours”. Too young to enter Teachers College, she began teaching and taught at the following schools: Garlogie and Banana-Ground Primary in Manchester, Snowden, Constitution Hill, St. Jago Primary, and Preston Hill in St Mary.
During her teaching career, she never failed to act as a breadwinner proudly and responsibly assisting with the expenses with her princely salary of one pound, 5 shillings per month.

Home
As other babies arrived, she ensured that she was home to assist her mother to care for and nurture them. Her sense of responsibility in the home was evident, helping with chores, and homework with her siblings, and even protecting them by accepting blame for them.
Militant dad never failed to call her the “ring-leader” (not complimentary by his standards). She was on excellent trooper, avid reader, and set the pace for all who were born after. Her leadership ability shone forth as she championed the cause of everyone- at home, at school and at large!

Transition
Mrs Lindsay relocated to Kingston and accepted a position at Whitfield Town Primary School and made her mark there. Her academic journey took her to Moneague Teachers College where her impressive leadership skills and eloquence earned her the role of President of Student Affairs. The qualities she honed from emulating Dad’s militancy included legacy of life, values of respect for others especially elders and those in authority. He also always assumed an “on the move” posture along with responsibility and accountability. The world can attest with Mrs Lindsay’s “on the go” stance.

Not even Covid-19 with its constraints was a deterrent, as she obeyed the mandates and moved on. She continuously spoke in glowing terms of her own father ever grateful on his way of approaching life and on mother’s gentle and nurturing ways. Needless to say one has to be in ‘flight-mode’ and ‘exit awareness’ for one’s own good. Discipline, the watchword!! Therefore, if interrogated by Dad and was “found wanting”, the watchword was “readiness” and Sister Olive was on cue for us all (very athletic).

Relocation to Kingston
“Sister Olive” Mrs Lindsay met and married Mr. Harold Lindsay who also hails from Manchester. A soft-spoken, easy-going, cordial and industrious person, the marriage lasted approximately five decades. For approximately twelve years, he has been incapacitated and bed-ridden and Mrs Lindsay’s caring ways and devotion to him was constant and therapeutic. God bless her!
She made her home in Duhaney Park and worked at the Duhaney Park Primary/Secondary Schools. Her tenure at the school spanned five decades of unswerving, unadulterated service. Her passion and zeal for her students to learn was unquenchable. When there was no space or place, she created space for any age group. She sought out children, acquainting herself with their backgrounds, discovering the parents/guardians (who they are) because her mantra was “Each and every child has the potential to learn and to achieve”. She reorganized her verandah to ensure them extra lessons! Money, NO PROBLEM! Failure of common entrance was a “no-no” as ‘Teacher’ on the proverbial ‘warpath’ battled for good grades, application to be scholarly for each child and results.

Since her demise, there were phone calls from professionals of every discipline, bemoaning her loss and acknowledging her input in their young minds.

Addendum to Qualifications
Her pursuits for higher learning was only quenched by pursuit of additional learning from the University of the West Indies where she accomplished the one year course for the Certificate of Education (Cert-Ed). Attendances to workshops and seminars conducted during holidays added to her wealth of information and reservoir for better performance skills.

Church Life
She worshipped at New Haven and Riverton Gardens Seventh-Day Adventist Churches for many years. I called the members and spiritual leaders “Family”- their love, admiration, appreciation, concern and relationship. As she worshipped and worked assiduously at church, the fellowship was profound. Her inimitable voice was revered by all as she led the Music Ministry choir. A visit to her church reveals the genuine relationships and godly precepts. We pause to thank Pastor Baugh, Elder Witter and the members of the church who co-ordinated visits during illness and gave tangible assistance in her time of need.

Her Health
Mrs Lindsay enjoyed health and wellness for most of her life except for sinusitis according to the weather conditions, hence only seasonal. She will complain of ‘tiredness’ and needing a ‘break’, a direct result, especially emotionally that her husband’s incapacity took a toll on her.
Her first admission to a hospital was on her birthday, January 21st 2019. At 83 years old, she never had surgery or any investigative procedures. If she was ailing, she may be bearing it valiantly and complained occasionally or not at all.

Covid-19 dictates our new lifestyle, so any family, social or delightful visits to her were put on pause or infrequent. The fondest of times and objectives of most visits were to reminisce on childhood days, resurrect the fun and laughter and most importantly, to recite memory gems, scripture passages and blend our voices. She’s a songbird. The harmonies resounding within her home on visits attracted passers-by to converge at her gate while her husband always appealed to us to sing along. I’m sure that her church family will gladly attest to her rich, versatile, melodious voice.
In early November of last year, Mrs. Lindsay’s latest ill-health surfaced in no uncertain way, hence her inevitable urgent admission to the Kingston Public Hospital. After conservative treatment, she had to undergo surgery and was discharged shortly after. Her post-operative care demanded skilled nursing care, so she was welcomed heartily in her niece’s home along with her sister Sidonie, a nurse.

It was an honour, privilege, and pleasure to have her to care – professionally, petted and pampered. A nurse was also employed forthwith to complement and enhance quality care for her. Her ease and comfort, and response to care were obvious. A combination of Mrs Lindsay- our Sister Olive’s care by another sister Una, also a professional nurse- only the best was in store for her.

Sense of Humour in her Illness
Mrs. Lindsay was gracious, appreciative, extremely cooperative ,and jovial. She smiled, seek for, and added to jokes. Her good humour, most welcomed and encouraged, was therapeutic. Her favourite songs were un-ending as she loves sing-alongs. All medications of pills, large though they may be, were swallowed willingly. Choice of fluids encouraged. Visits of her church sisters most welcomed, as she led, most vociferously, every song suggested (just by hearing the number of the hymn chosen).

Her magnanimous spirit and deeply abiding faith in God helped her greatly, but re-admission was inevitable. Between the discomforts that she had, she surprised her nurse, especially when she belched out one of her favourite songs by Jim Reeves, “My Cathedral”, line by line, verse by verse, perfectly.

Review Visit at Hospital
This valiant lady grappled with the clinical manifestations of her condition, and by divine intervention, the miracle of a transfer to another care facility was decided by doctors. Away from the hustle and bustle this worthy patriot, unsung hero, and God-fearing servant was relocated to a peaceful, inviting, unhurried place of tranquillity; an oasis in the desert, where after eight days, with occasional observable smiles and soldiering on Mrs Olive Lindsay nee Morrison, Sister Olive, Auntie Olive, Sister Lindsay, “Mama” (husband’s fond name), Teacher, Philanthropist with a bold exterior but with a sweet-soft heart, humble powerful daughter of Porus, Manchester, matriarch pera sonified, worthy citizen of Jamaica, unsung hero, inheritor of the Kingdom of God – and more – In the Power of the Holy Spirit, all pain and suffering were removed and she slipped into the eternal realm with great dignity at 7:20am on December 30, 2020.

Sister Olive, you have left an aching void the world can never fill (Hymn 326, Ancient-Modern) So “Until Then” (Seventh – day Adventist Hymnal page 632) your favourite line:
“Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory”