Josephine "Jo" Elaine (Wedderburn) Hosein

ANCESTORS

Maternal Grandfather: George Joseph Dusman, born in 1878 died in 1911 at age 33.

Maternal Grandmother: Amy Louise (neé Lindo) Dusman (then later, Latibeaudiere) (the first “Bigma”), born in 1885

George Joseph Dusman and Amy Louise Lindo were married in a wedding ceremony on 14th October 1903. They were 25 and 18 years old. According to the marriage certificate recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, both fathers, Dusan Maragh and Edward Henry Lindo, were present.

George and Amy had four daughters: Hyacinth Louise Mercedes (WEDDERBURN) (our Bigma), Lena-May Antoinette (FOSTER), Vera Eugenie (WATKIS), Carmen Marie Veronica “Marie” (SASSO)

They were married only 8 years before George’s passing. After the death of George Dusman, Amy married Frederick Bernard Latibeaudiere and in 1916 had a son, Bernard Egbert Latibeaudiere (Phyllis).

Jo was very close to her maternal aunts and uncles, Vera, Lena, Marie, Bernard, Bobby Foster and Peter Watkis. She ensured that all five of her own children knew them as grand-aunts and uncles. Bobby Foster was the “give-away-father” at her wedding and, twenty five years later, was the master of ceremonies at the reception following Shah and Jo’s 25th anniversary renewal of vows dedication ceremony. Jo was also close with all of her cousins, the Sassos: Margaret (m.ALEXANDER), Helen (m.ROWE), Jean (Sis. Cabrini), Denise (m.DEER), and George (CYNTHIA); the Fosters: Anthony (Jerry) (SHIRLEY) and Alan; and the Latibeaudieres: Joan (m.MCINTOSH), Marjorie (MOESAR), Audrey (m.OLSEN), Carole (m.DEKOKER), Marcia (m.RENNIE), Peta-Gaye (m.HOSKINSON) and Beverley (m.DACOSTA), and remained in close contact as they got separated by geography.

Paternal Grandfather: Thomas Samuel Wedderburn

Paternal Grandmother: Mary Elizabeth (neé McDonald) Wedderburn

Thomas and Mary married and together had sons Ralph and Cyril Basil Garuch (or Garnet) Wedderburn (16th November 1890) and a daughter, Mae “Miss Weddy” (Bramwell Witter – Uncle Brammie). Thomas had other children outside of the marriage including Rose Wedderburn, Maude (who kept her mother’s surname) and others unknown to this writer, but who bore the Wedderburn name.

Josephine had a close relationship with her paternal aunt, Miss Weddy, and often took her five children from Mandeville to Kingston to visit Miss Weddy until her passing.

Cyril Basil Garuch Wedderburn and (Hyacinth) Louise Mercedes Dusman (Bigma) were married on 11th May 1923 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston, Jamaica. According to the marriage certificate, it was Officiated by Rev. Joseph Kelly and witnessed by Joseph Stevens and Ilse Stevens. Her name 'Hyacinth' is omitted.

Together, they had 17 children, of which Josephine was the 14th. They are:

Bernadette Teresa “Chi-Chi” (m.CLUNIES), José Bernard (1925) (NORMA), Gloria Tereza “Super G” (m.JONES), Isean Carl Basil “Tunny”, Mario Eusabius (CISSY), Margeret Rita “Peggy” (died in Cuba), Noel (Still birth), Constance Patricia “Pat” (m.ANDERSON/SMITH), Francis “Munning”, Maurice Bennidiet (died in Montego Bay, Jamaica), Raymond Aloysius, Noella Anne, Josephine Elaine (1942), Anna-Marie Rose (1944), Victoria “Vicky”, Violet (1945)

Jo was born in Jubilee Lying-in, Kingston Jamaica on 19th March 1942.

Three of her older siblings, Rita, Munning and Maurice, predeceased her birth, and her three younger sisters Rose, Victoria and Violet, died in infancy. Jo was raised in Kingston, Jamaica with the remaining eight of her siblings along with her first niece, Janet who was as a sister.

When Jo was three years old, she lost her father due to tragic circumstances on 15th September 1945. A transcription of the notice that was mailed to Bigma is as follows:

Typed on official letterhead stationery of Custom House, Jamaica, B.W.I. and assigned reference No. 218 it reads:

Mrs. Louise Wedderburn

1 St. James Rd.

Rollington Town,

Kingston.

27th September 1945

Madam,

I regret to inform you that on the 24th instant, I received a letter from the British Vice-Consul, Miami, Florida, requesting me to advise you that your husband, Cecil (SIC) Wedderburn, who was serving aboard the Motor Vessel “Icaros” as an Engineer, lost his life by drowning, on the 15th instant, off Miami Beach.

2. The circumstances, as far as I can gather are these:

The vessel crossed the Gulf Stream on her usual course, and was caught by a hurricane; She was then stranded on the beach off Surfside Village, Miami Beach. All hands reached shore in a dinghy, but deceased attempted to swim back to get the Ship’s dog in spite of the Master’s warning and was carried out to sea.

3. I take this opportunity of tendering to you, my deepest sympathy.

I am, Madam,

Your obedient servant,

Grosett (signed by hand)

Shipping Master.

Consequently, as Josephine got older, she only knew her father through the memories of her mother and three eldest siblings, Chi-Chi, José and Gloria, and through old love letters which Cyril had written to Bigma.

In addition to those already mentioned, much later in life, she was preceded in death by her mother and all her brothers.

Although Bigma never remarried, she did not parent her younger children alone. Josephine had two surrogate mothers, Lila-Mae Murray (Aunt Mae) who was Bigma’s neighbor and life-long friend, and Bigma’s good friend, Josephine Seales who was Jo’s Godmother. Lila-Mae’s son, Jack, was a close friend, and when eventually Jack married, so was his wife Beverly. Josephine is the Godmother to their twin girls, Jacqueline and Marsha. Jo’s kids also met Lila Mae’s son, Butch (Ainsley) (an unforgettable beach day with cricket) and as little kids had the chance to spend time with Aunt Mae’s daughter, Blossom (Lilia) and husband Wiggy (Leslie) before they moved to England.

BIOGRAPHY

As a young girl, Jo attended St. Josephs Girls Schools where she demonstrated a genius level academic prowess. She was an avid swimmer and loved to swim in the ocean – a common pastime of hers. She loved serving tea with her friends and sisters and competing for the best event. Her confidant, and refuge when she got into trouble, was her eldest sibling, Chi-Chi, and it was to her that Jo ran for help when she was determined not to go back to school.

Jo was no typical teenager. At age 12 years old, instead of high school, Jo attended Fitz-Henley Commercial School where she mastered Pittman’s shorthand and secretarial skills. (Much to the chagrin of Sister Fidelma who thought it a waste of her genius). Her typing speed was limited only by the typewriter’s ability to keep up. (After the dawn of computer word processors, she often had to pause to allow the computer to catch up as the buffer was insufficient for her rate of input). By the age of 14, she was working at Colgate-Palmolive as a secretary until she left to join the Coconut Industry Board as an administrative assistant to her uncle, Bobby Foster. She remained with them until she had a work-related falling-out with her uncle (their personal bond remained intact). This was to be her last job in Kingston before relocating to Mandeville with her husband and five young children. Once in Mandeville, she did a short stint at the Bank of Nova Scotia before moving to Alpart Jamaica. She left Alpart to work for BetzDearborn out of Trevose, Pennsylvania as the administrative assistant and office manager to Art Williams, the Caribbean Regional Director. Art became her bosom friend. She remained with BetzDearborn until her retirement at age 65.

Everyone who knew Jo considered themself to be a good friend of hers. Jo enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during her lifetime. Her girlhood friends were (?) Rainford, Olive Chin, Elsa Ho Ken, her sister-in-law Norma Wedderburn (neé Carvalho), Kay Carvalho (Norma’s niece), her brother Raymond, sister Noella, and niece Janet.

While still in Kingston, later in life, she became friends with Olive Lewin and Cherry Black, whom her children knew as ‘Aunt’ Olive and ‘Aunt’ Cherry (Bigma made Aunt Cherry's wedding cake).

Romantically, Josephine was once seriously involved with Dougie Delapenha before meeting and falling for the handsome Shah, to whom she was introduced by George E. Morris (Gemmie). Gemmie, was a boarder in Bigma’s home at the time and a close friend of Shah whom he had met at the University. As her sisters tell the story, when Josephine saw Shah, her eyes “pop out!”

On 23rd November 1963, Jo exchanged wedding vows with Melville Anthony "Shah" Hosein at Holy Cross Church in Kingston, Jamaica. Officiated by Father Crutchley of Kingston, Jamaica.

Their union was blessed with five children and eight grandchildren.

Jo’s five children came immediately, and one right after the other. When the fifth one was born, the first had not yet turned 3 years old. Whaat?? Slow down. There are twins in there. All five children are born in May. Full disclosure: the last was due in May (7th), but came early (April 27th). Shah was still a student at university when they had their first, so the running joke ever since, was that he must have had study-leave the same time each year. Jo has often said that being pregnant was the best time of her life, so each time it was over, she went for it again.

When the family moved to Mandeville, Jo’s circle of friends grew to include their shared new friends: Pat and Rita Chan, D.P. and Pansy Beckford, Shirley and Barbara Buchanan, Seymour and Sheila Brown, Calvin and Marcia Bodden, Horace and Yvonne Neil, Pat and Karlene Thompson, John and Cherie Watson, Keith and Rose Gentles, Ewan and Lucind Fletcher, Karl and Dede Welsh, Jeannie and George Bird, Heather and Charmaine Robinson, Art Williams, Daphne Linton, Yuclen Freeman, Robert and Beverley Stewart, Lydia Pat Gibbs, Karl Simpson, Clinton Barrett, Bunny Dugan, Bert Johnston, Hopeton McCatty, Hugh and Dor Mairs-Ingram, Conrad Moo Pen, Ed Lynn

Jo’s favorite leisure time pursuits were poker, golf, tennis, gardening, interior decorating and craftsmanship. She loved entertaining and had an open-door hospitality attitude. Her home was always kept neat, clean and orderly and decorated with fresh floral arrangements, crafted herself from the flowers she grew in her botanical gardens.

Her gardens were spectacular! She collected countless varieties of begonias, African violets, and orchids. She grew anthuriums, gladiolas, gerberas, irises, dahlias and roses. She collected various clippings from roadsides, friends and other gardens and grew from clippings then propagated to expand the gardens. These flowers grew amidst flowering trees. The beauty and character of her garden made it a popular choice for wedding couples and photographers for photo shoots.

She also grew food. She could put on a pot of soup from the garden, down to every herb.

She was often the best dressed at any party as she made her own outfits. If she was invited to a function, she would run down to Hurry-Hurry for a piece of fabric and she was set.

Her creativity and craftsmanship extended to interior decorator, seamstress, drapier, furniture maker and experimental home-chef. She used to craft the most impressive finished products out of crude material like a coffee table out of the wooden spool from the telephone company on which the cables were wound, or a hassock out of egg cartons.

Josephine was a BADASS! Just one simple example of this is the time she picked up her children at Belair and the gear of her stick-shift car got stuck in reverse. Fearless and undaunted, body twisted, looking over her shoulder, hands firmly on the wheel, Jo drove home from Belair to North Race Course in reverse – never once turning the car in the wrong direction, keeping up with the flow of traffic, and all the while with the kids in the back squealing with excitement for the joy-ride.

On the subject of badass, that woman could cuss. Not in the least bit mean-spirited, but just as colourful expressions. Only Jamaican bad-words, of course. When she used them, they were not expletives, but intensifiers. Come to think of it, she used to cuss in Spanish, too. The only Spanish she picked up from (not to topple your sacred cow).. Bigma.

Jo’s faith was important to her. She was a devout and ardent Roman Catholic and member of the St. Paul of the Cross congregation. She was a member of the floral decorating committee at church. Her floral arrangements were consistently so creative and outstanding, that it was usually evident to all that it was she, when she had done the arrangements at church.

Jo enjoyed traveling Jamaica. It was a chance for her to renew and relax. While she loved her island vacations with her family, her favorite vacation ever was going to Panama with her sister, Pat, and Jacinta De Bayard (Lila-Mae’s sister).

More than anything else, Jo was there for other people. She was a strong advocate for the disenfranchised and did all of her charitable deeds one-on-one and quietly. She has helped people learn to read, learn English, start new businesses, navigate bureaucracies, get legal counsel, she was a life coach to many. If you knew her, you probably have a story of a situation in which Jo helped or of a timely word of wisdom that changed you or your outlook in some way.

Simply stated, Jo was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Jo leaves behind, a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Josephine... Elaine... Marie... Dusman... Wedderburn... Hosein. “Tell di’ worl’!!!”

OBITUARY

(As printed in the Jamaica Gleaner)

Hosein, Josephine Elaine née Wedderburn of Sanbaroca, Mandeville, Jamaica

Born March 19th 1942 in Kingston, Jamaica

Died Sunday, May 5th, 2013 at home: disqualified after a two stroke penalty

She leaves to mourn: Sisters: Bernadette Teresa (Chi-Chi), Gloria Tereza (Super-G), Constance Patricia, Noella Anne and Bernadette and niece Janet who was raised with her; husband of nearly 50 years, Shah; children and their spouses: Monique & Robin Randall, Roxanne & Ingram Powell, Michael & Nicole Dehaney, Marcel & Paula Shaw and Karim & Trecia Matthews; grandchildren: Jared, Erin, Josephine, Joshua, Hayley, Shah, Omar, Ilana; numerous nieces and nephews, and their spouses and children; brothers- and sisters-in-law; and a host of dear friends.

Funeral mass for the repose of the soul of Josephine will be held at 10:00am on Monday 13, May at St. Paul of the Cross Cathedral, 78 Manchester Road, Mandeville. Viewing from 9:30 to 10:00am immediately preceding the service.

In lieu of flowers, a collection will be taken at the church for its various charitable works.

EULOGY

(Delivered at her funeral by her first-born, Monique)

Roll Call! Trevor (Carrington), Lloyd (King), in Mummy’s family of the recent generations: Peter & Vera, Vin & Marie, Bobby & Lena, Bigma & Cyril, Carl, Raymond, Mario & Cissy, Jose & Norma, Rose, Victoria, Frances (Mooning) Maurice, Debbie, Marlon. I mention these losses as once again the fabric of our existence is rent seemingly beyond repair as we endure a blow from which we may never recover, but I know it is possible to go on celebrating life with a hole in your heart.

We always say dey mus be havin’ one heck of a party up there - but party really start NOW!

To each and everyone here I want to say May G-d comfort you among the mourners for Zion and Jerusalem, we feel your pain and your loving support and comfort. I will leave the words of comfort to the professionals, but I mention you first rather than our dear beautiful ever sparkling Josephine Elaine Marie Dusman Wedderburn Hosein, Jo, Jo-Jo, Miss Jo, Mrs. Hosein, Josie, Josey Wales, Auntie Jo, Grandma and lately, Grandma Sparkles because to think of others was Mummy’s way. And the goodwill and outpouring of love that we see here today is a testimony to who she was.

I have read that a eulogy at a funeral mass is an addition which should be a brief somber affair appropriate to the mass. I can’t think of a format less suited to either speaker or the deceased. Mummy had no place for tears or regrets. Her capacity for joy was boundless. She found it everywhere and left it in her wake. So many of you with whom I spoke said a similar thing. “I just saw her we had a wonderful time at West Palm Beach for her birthday”, “we had dinner and drinks in Miami and talked for hours”. “I’m so glad I flew to San Francisco to see her, what a ball we had”. The adjectives I heard over and over again were full of life, indomitable, deliciously corrupting influence, role model, beautiful, fun, fun, fun. She was a tornado,

I once sat in a hammock in my backyard having a glass of wine and listening to Coltrane under a full moon and I picked up the phone and called my mother to thank her for the gift of being able to find joy in the every day, everyday. So many of you have fond ‘last’ memories which you didn’t know would be the last but for which you made time because you shared her sense of what was important, and you took the time to enjoy the now.

She made sure we had fun and treated every day as if it were special. We had no good china and good silver sitting unused, because she always said, “den who more special dan my family?”. My mother often joined the children at play whether it was cricket, riding bicycles – she skidded out popping a wheelie, football – she broke her finger saving a goal in our backyard. Having reared almost half a cricket team.

My mother was a woman of extraordinary beauty in the most profound way. Her beauty was eternal and to her core. She also had style as many of you know she could get a yard of fabric at noon and have a cocktail dress fit for a gala by 5 o’clock. Well as you know she could have a bag of salt, 2 green banana and a yard of fabric and have a feast. Was anyone here at Daddy and company 60th birthday party, Marcel and Paula surprise anniversary party, or Brenda’s wedding?

It was a common response to anyone who was being asked if they had met Josephine if they said, “I can’t remember”, the person would be told - sometimes in chorus – no, you haven’t met her, or you would remember.

A quick biography of the seemingly ordinary life of one of the most colorful women I ever knew seems inadequate, but I will try. Josephine was the baby of quite a large number of children in a close-knit loving family who early on suffered the first of many tragic losses when Bigma lost her adoring husband at sea in 1945 when Josephine was just a girl of 3 years. Nine of those children, Chi-Chi, Gloria, Jose, Carl, Mario, Pat, Noella, Raymond, Josephine together with Janet, her first niece, grew to adulthood being there for each other through thick and thin.

I cannot speak of who Mummy was without mentioning our dearly beloved Bigma and her husband Cyril. Growing in a large, loving family which survived joy and profound loss in love and support. Bigma stretched resources and kept her family fed clothed sheltered and firmly in the bosom of her values of love, family and friendship and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Mummy was a role model to many – she would not have called herself a feminist because as my father heard often – “why yuh haffi bring politics inna everything!”. But as my cousin, Shasa reminded me – she was a role model for many of the women in this family. Josephine never subsumed her personality and interests and self to her family obligations, but we each felt that we were the center of her world. She had uniquely special relationships with each child and each and every grandchild. It is hard to imagine that there are many of us who have not enjoyed Mummy’s wise counsel and Josephinisms delivered as only she could deliver it.

I must add that among her immense, incredible talents – designing and sewing outfits and window treatments, making her own furniture, cooking the most incredible treats, gardening, making silk out of air, she was also quite the sportswoman. She was a very determined person as illustrated by her flirtation with sports. Following certain footsteps, she won a trophy in table tennis in a workplace competition. After moving to Mandeville she started tennis, and in the Mid-Island Championships one year, had those watching spellbound as – by sheer tenacity – she forced one of the country’s leading players to struggle mightily to win.

But the best example came in trials for Jamaica’s Golf team to the Caribbean Golf Championships. At the end of the standard rounds, she was tied with another competitor for a place on the team. At the end of the play-off round, they remained tied. They scheduled a further playoff round which she was leading comfortably when a thunderstorm completely washed out play. Much to her chagrin, the selectors scheduled yet another play-off for yet another day, and she won relatively easily. This was in 1980, and in her play at Tryall, her score counted every day, thereby earning for Jamaica’s Ladies Team, 2nd place in those Championships.

Some say however, her greatest triumph was lasting nearly 50 years with my father.

In truth though, Mummy’s most common advice to newlyweds was to reject the prevailing “wisdom” that marriage was really hard work. She said it was not supposed to be so hard. She said that she had never spent an unhappy day with my father and that we girls would be lucky to marry a man like our father and When I told her how amazed I was at the joy of being married, she said “when me did married mi vex vex vex because if me did know dat marriage was so sweet me woulda married long time”. She said that all their arguments were in fact insubstantial and inconsequential and that was why she had never spent an unhappy day with my father.

Josephine was indeed a Woman of Valour

Eshet Chayil mi yimtza v'rachok mip'ninim michrah

Batach bah lev ba'lah v'shalal lo yechsar

G'malathu tov v'lo ra kol y'mei chayeiha

An accomplished woman, who can find? Her value is far beyond pearls.

Her husband's heart relies on her and he shall lack no fortune.

She does him good and not evil, all the days of her life.

She plans for a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Chagrah v'oz motneiha vat'ametz zro'oteiha

She girds her loins in strength, and makes her arms strong.

She extends her hands to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.

Strength and honor are her clothing, she smiles at the future.

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the lesson of kindness is on her tongue.

Her children rise and praise her, her husband lauds her.

Many women have done worthily, but you surpass them all.

And if I may be so bold as to adapt to the occasion. Josephine possessed both true charm and beauty but without deception or vanity for she was a woman who feared G-d and therefore to be praised

a woman who fears God shall be praised.

Mummy’s love and respect for all was also boundless. It has been known to happen for children of the deceased to meet new siblings at the funeral. It must certainly be a rarity when the deceased is a woman, but let me ask you how many people here were referred to as son or daughter by Mummy and how many of you felt as if Mummy was a second mother to you.

For Josephine to live on in each of us, please remember her by your acts of kindness and by a respect for the dignity of each and every person around her. She understood the teaching of B’eztel Elohim of seeing the image of G-d in everyone and seeing the best in each of us.

May her memory be for a blessing.