Olive Merle Innerarity

Olive Merle Innerarity was born in Mt. Rosser, St. Catherine, Jamaica on December 16th, 1938. She was the 5th of 11 children born to parents Adina (nee Forsyth) and Samuel Wisdom. Olive grew up in a large fun loving and hardworking Christian family. Her parents were entrepreneurs engaged in the agricultural and grocery business and so along with her siblings she was enlisted to help out as needed. This is likely where she began to develop her wonderful ability to connect with others. Her caring nature and those interpersonal skills would serve her well as she moved through life.

After completing primary school in Mt. Rosser she attended secretarial school in St. Ann's Bay. She was such an efficient secretary in her 1st job with the National Workers Union in St. Ann's Bay, that she was recruited to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs in Kingston. In 1960 she married the love of her life John Herbert Innerarity, and over the years became a loving stepparent to his daughter Lisa, son Jimmy and grandson Nicholas.

She continued her employment with the Ministry of Home Affairs but this time in New York. She was an excellent secretary and when her boss was appointed to the Jamaica High Commission in New York, she was encouraged to migrate there and continue working for him. Her subsequent employment opportunities in New York included working for Germaine Monteil Cosmetics, Avon and the Federal

After moving to Palm Coast with John over 30 years ago, she continued to work in customer service and later as a caregiver to the elderly. She was very involved in the life of the Palm Coast United Methodist Church, where she was able to serve through her love of music and gift of singing as a member of the choir. She was also very involved with the Caribbean community in Palm Coast and was awarded the

2005 United Caribbean Cultural Association "Award of Gratitude" for outstanding dedication and service.

Olive was an extremely kind (sometimes to a fault), caring and loving individual, always thinking of others. Her younger siblings speak of how she mothered them, being protective and caring and attentive to their needs, even as adults. "She was special" is a common sentiment expressed. She was a social butterfly and was always the life of the party wherever she went. She loved to dance and had dance moves like no other. Her genuinely joyful and radiant smile would warm your heart and light up a room. She loved to dress up and always rocked a red lip. Her Florida home became a favourite place to visit and was always filled with love, laughter, music and dancing. She was also a very spicey, no nonsense individual though, who wouldn't hesitate to put you in your place if you got out of line.

She's gone but will not be forgotten. The Lord has now welcomed her home. Heaven just got a little livelier!

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her brothers Leslie, Liddon (Colette) and Barrington; sisters Marsia (Lindell) and Barbara; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, John; brothers Ivan and Signatius; sisters Phyllis, Marion, Mavis, Beryl and Mavis and parents, Samuel and Adina Wisdom.

May her soul rest in eternal peace and may her memory be a blessing.