Victoria Imogene Myrie

She was the youngest of 4 children. After graduating from Titchfield High School in Port Antonio, Vicki (as she was affectionately called) studied nursing at Kingston Public Hospital, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1951. Not content, she furthered her studies at several hospitals in England over the next 5 years. After completing her training at West Middlesex Hospital, she became a state registered nurse for England and Wales. With continued studies, she obtained certifications in Midwifery and Industrial Nursing, specializing in the treatment of burns and other industrial emergencies.

Upon her return to Jamaica, Vicki worked for the Sugar Industry Labour and Welfare Board, and later at Kingston Industrial Works , and at St. Andrews Hospital where she was a nursing supervisor.

In 1958, she married Rudolph Blair, her former pupil teacher. The marriage produced Collette, Loray, and Stuart, and ended in 1970. Vicki later married Lloyd Myrie, her soulmate, with whom she shared her love of travel, singing, dancing, and telling jokes.

Vicki and her family migrated to the United States in 1978 and she worked at Henrotin and Mercy Hospitals in Chicago, Illinois. While at Henrotin, she was invited to speak at Loyola University, addressing the topic of “Transcultural Birth Experiences” with graduating nurses, an achievement of which she was especially proud.

Upon her retirement in 1991, the family relocated to Palm Coast, Florida, where her husband Lloyd died in 1992, and son Stuart in 1998.

Vicki came out of retirement to help her daughter Loray, start her medical practice, and was also baby-sitter to grandchildren, Victoria (her namesake), and Ernie.

Throughout her life, Vicki loved and served the Lord, overcoming many of her trials by her faith. She was known to family and friends as a prayer warrior.

She was actively involved in her church, Immanuel Full Gospel, where she served as Secretary, Treasurer, and Adult Bible Class teacher. She then became an ardent participant in a daily phone Bible study and prayer group where she often led devotions – from 2014 up until 2 days before she passed.

Vicki will be remembered for her strong faith in the Lord and for her many jokes and funny stories – which she shared readily with anyone who would listen, including family, friends, hospice and nursing home staff.

Vicki is survived by her daughters: Collette and Loray; stepchildren: Keith, Neil, Hopeton, Newton, and Orville; nieces: Janice, Colleen, and Pam; nephews: Trevor, Billie, Karl, and Lennie; grandchildren: Victoria (Nish), and Ernie; great-grandchildren: Alice and Dev; and other extended family – all of whom loved her dearly and will miss her fondly.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Victoria’s honor can be made to the Salvation Army or to UNICEF.