Minta Maud Hay

Minta Maud Hay, a woman whose years were marked by faith, service, and unwavering dedication. She was Minta, Miss Hay, Sister Mint, Mom/Mommy. Minta achieved many milestones, far too many to fully recount, yet each one represents a testament of a life well lived.

Adorable, prudent, generous, industrious, resilient, ambitious, God-fearing, an educator par excellence. These words aptly describe Minta Maud Hay, born to the late Vashti James (Dunn), and James “Jim” Hay of Wakefield, Trelawny.

Minta spent her formative years in the close-knit community of Wakefield, Trelawny, where she attended Wakefield Elementary School, now known as Wakefield Primary. There, she distinguished herself academically, successfully completing the First and Second Jamaica Local Examinations. She later passed her Third Jamaica Local Examination at Somerton, St. James.These foundational achievements paved the way for the pursuit of her lifelong career as an educator.

In 1958, Miss Hay began her teaching career as a pre-trained teacher at Wakefield Elementary School. She embraced her role with enthusiasm, dedication and purpose, and with the encouragement and moral support of individuals such as Miss Reid, Mrs. Amy Forbes, and her devoted mother, Mrs. Vashti Dunn, she was inspired to continue in the noble teaching profession.

Between 1960 and 1969, Miss Hay pursued professional development at Caledonia Junior College, completed external courses, and attended St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College, Kingston, where she earned her Trained Teachers’ Certificate.

Following her graduation, Miss Hay made her professional debut at Linstead Primary School in St. Catherine, where she served creditably for one year before transferring to Duncans Primary School in Trelawny. In 1971 she welcomed the birth of her beloved daughter, Nicola, who has followed in the trailblazing footsteps of her mother, and diligently went on to attain one of the highest degrees in her chosen professional as she continues to excel in honorable public service to the government of the USA.

In 1972, Miss Hay joined the staff of Falmouth Infant School under the principalship of Miss Vioris Bernard. She later served under Mrs. C. C. Whitaker and Mrs. L. Cooke. Her diligence, commitment, and leadership earned her promotion to Senior Teacher and then to Principal, roles she fulfilled with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose.

Miss Hay always held the best interests of her school at heart. Rarely late or absent, she worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation of the institution. She played a pivotal role in expanding the school, facilitating the addition of two classrooms when student enrollment exceeded capacity. She also fostered strong and respectful relationships with her colleagues, serving as mentor, confidante, and trusted guide within the school community.

Guided by the school motto, “Only the Best Is Good Enough,” Miss Hay consistently encouraged excellence. Leading by example, she furthered her professional growth by completing a course in Management and Supervision in Education at the University of the West Indies in 1992.

A consummate professional, Miss Hay was a devoted member of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association. She faithfully attended District and Parish meetings and served as Secretary of the Falmouth District Association on multiple occasions. Her dedication and service were recognized with the Jamaica Teachers’ Association Golden Torch Award.

A devout Christian, Miss Hay was firmly rooted in the Baptist faith and became an integral and active member of the William Knibb Baptist Church in Falmouth, Trelawny. Her service to the church spanned many years and included roles such as Sunday School Teacher, Class Leader, Circuit Treasurer, Deaconess and President of the William Knibb Baptist Women’s Federation.

This noble and astute woman served her community faithfully for twenty-nine (29) years and her nation for an outstanding thirty-nine (39) years.

Minta loved to crotchet, listen to cricket, play scrabble, play dominoes, bake, garden, and most of all she loved to travel,going on many excursions locally, cruises and visiting countries like the UK, Cuba & Canada.

To attempt to fully recount her achievements would require more space and time than we possess today. Yet, her legacy lives on, in the lives she touched, the students she shaped, the faith she embodied, and the love she shared so generously.

In 2004, Minta became a permanent resident of New Jersey, USA, embracing a new chapter of life while remaining deeply connected to her homeland, Jamaica. During her retirement, she divided her time between New Jersey and Jamaica, spending six months in each country every year to remain close to family and friends. In 2010, Minta became seriously ill while in Jamaica, and her devoted daughter, Nicola, spared no expense to return her beloved mother to the United States to reside with her in Pennsylvania where she lived until her passing.

Nicola ensured that her mom received the best care possible. Nicola spoke with her dear friend and co-worker, Jeanette Perkins who was also a nurse; Jeanette was able to assist with finding resources for excellent home and hands-on care for MsHay. Over the years Ms. Hay was blessed with dedicated caregivers who lovingly assisted with her daily care and to whom we extend our heartfelt gratitude: Tiffany, Sharon, Leah, Ms. Gloria, Ms. Christine & Ms. Rosie.

During her illness, she remained a faithful servant of God. She would diligently watch church services faithfully, listen to gospel music and tell Nicola to behave. Minta loved to eat stewed peas and rice, mangoes, ripe bananas, cake and anything sweet.

She lived with purpose, served with excellence, led by example and left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Minta was preceded in death by her parents Vashti Dunn, James Hay & Ivan Dunn, brothers Balford Dunn, Cornelius Hay, sisters Patsy Hay, Ivylee Choloply & Elaine Cowan.

Minta leaves behind her beloved only daughter Nicola Burnett; brothers Cecil Hay, Melton Hay & Roland Hay; sisters Paulette Shaw, Patricia McCalla, Vena Hay, Daisy Hay & Verona Hay; nephews Glendon, David, Ian & Casey; nieces Pauline, Sacha, Lisa, Khadine & Rolanda and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.

We must add that all of us who followed Minta used her as our guiding light and our example to prove that we too can/could achieve all we set out to, with hard work, dedication and trust in God.

May Minta’s Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

A visitation will be held at the Metropolitan Baptist Church, located at 7200 Davie Road Extension, Hollywood, FL, 33024, on January 29, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am. The visitation will be available via live stream at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MaTtmYjnKZU&pp=0gcJCTMBo7VqN5tD.

The funeral service will follow at the same venue from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and will also be live-streamed at the same link.

The committal service will take place at Bailey Memorial, Garden of Love, located at 7801 Bailey Rd, North Lauderdale, FL, 33068, at 1:30 pm on January 29, 2026.

The final resting place will be in the Garden of Love at Bailey Memorial Gardens, located at 7801 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale.