In the quite, cool community of Roseapple Cambridge St. James on Monday October 27th 1947 a beautiful bouncing baby girl was born to the union of Elfreda Turner (Mama, Ms. Tiny) and Eric Gayle (Bro. Gayle) which they named her Dorothy Evadney Gayle and was affectionately called Dotty and over the years gained other nicknames such as Aunty, Ms. Gayle or Teach. Dorothy was the 3rd of 4 children; Claudette Blair (Patsy), Wellington (Teddy) and big sister to Durrel Lee (Datsy, Ms. Lee).
At the tender age of 5 years old Dorothy started her schooling at the Cambridge Infant school then to the Cambridge Elementary School and was successful in eight (8) subjects which included English Language, History, Civics, Bible Knowledge, Mathematics, Health Science, Biology and Spanish. She later attended Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College where she obtained a certificate in teaching under the In-service Teacher Education Trust. Later she upgraded her studies at the same institution during 1986-1988 and obtained a Diploma in teaching.
In 1973 Dorothy joined the staff at the Catadupa Primary and Junior High School and taught students in grades 1, 2, 3. She also tutored students in the Jamaica School Certificate Examinations (JSEC). After spending 35 years of dedicated service to education Dorothy retired at the age of 60.
Dorothy loved everyone in her life dearly no matter what place you stood, from her siblings, nieces, nephew, grand and great nieces and nephews. Though she wasn’t rich she helped everyone out tremendously in whatever possible way she could.
As kids you were always greeted with treats or token especially if you were good behaving, from the many field trips she would pay to bring us kids at Catadupa, from the many times we would get a call telling us to bring our booklist so she could purchase all our books for school and also buying us shoes, uniforms and whatever was needed. Aunty was truly that role model of a loving, kind, generous Aunt closer to being our mom. Aunty was truly the rock of our family.
Dorothy (Ms. Gayle) multitude of students both near and far admired her for the tremendous teacher/mentor and a mother-like figure she was and sometimes even being their nurse on days they weren’t feeling well or got injured at school, she truly treated all her students (her kids) like they were her own.
As many could testify she was one of a kind by throwing her famous class parties at the end of the school year. She would bring cake and goodies; but don’t take her sweetness for granted as she would not spear the rod and spoil no child. Just know that if you misbehaved you’d be getting a meaningful lashing to put you back in line; but at the end of the day you realize that it was all worth it. Miss Gayle was also admired by her many different fashion statements as she would dress with everything matching from her two piece suites to her shoes to her hand bag, she was truly an dedicated fashionista.
Shortly after retirement Dorothy Started experiencing excruciating lower back pain and was later diagnosed with Osteoarthritis and a slip disk which over the years never got better. She fought the pain through many different treatment options which gave her little to no ease.
In April of 2019 Dorothy took sick and was taken to the Cornwall Regional hospital where they discovered she suffered a slight stroke was admitted for 4 days. She later returned home where she showed signs of improvement. But over a 3month 3week period her health started to decline drastically and the pain got even worse and on the morning of Friday August 9, 2019 at 5:02am the pain stop and Dorothy, Aunt, Ms. Gayle, Teach went to sleep. She will be greatly missed for her attributes of being a selfless, kind, caring, loving, dedicated individual; her name and legacy will live on for generations to come. May she rest in Paradise.
She’ll be Forever Cherished & Loved by her Favorite Grand-Nephew/Adopted son – Tejaun East (Tj) (USA); Sister – Durrel (Ms. Lee, Datsy)(USA); Brother - Wellington (Teddy), Nieces - Keisha & Kenesha (USA), Georgette (CRH) & Michelle (ENG); Nephew – Hepburn (USA); Grand-nieces – Chenee, Conrodine (Connie), Samoya & Isabella(USA); Grand-Nephews – Adrian (USA), Kyle (USA), Carson (USA); Great-grand Nephews – Devante, Giovanni & Dante; Caregivers – Patricia (Panya), Margret & Pinchie; cousins, pass students, colleagues & dear friends.
Predeceased by: Sister – Claudette (Patsy) & Grand–Nephew – Andre Beckford (Beckham)
“Sleep on Auntie; Sleep & Take Your Rest”
