Mervin Hewitt

In a world of brief encounters and quick moments, Mervin Welenza Hewitt's life is a testament to lasting strength, love, and commitment—a light that brightened the lives of those lucky enough to know her.

Today, we gather to honor her memory, reflecting on the life of a woman deeply connected to her country and district of Style Hut, St. Thomas, Jamaica, where she was born to Charles and Terencia Jacks.

Mervin's life story began in harmony in the pleasant parish hills bordering Saint Andrew and Kingston on the western end and perched on the southeastern coast of Jamaica with Portland on the northern end.

Nothing could have prepared her for losing both parents in her youth. After such significant changes in her family life by the age of 14, she was lovingly raised by her grandparents, Leonora and Josiah Collins. Mamie Leah, as Leonora was known, taught her the resilience and determination that came to define her. Alongside her siblings—Jethro, Gilbert, Amy, Carrol, and Jasmine—she navigated life's journey.

Today, Amy, the eldest sister, Jasmine, the youngest, and Carrol whom we hope to see, might remember this bond.

Her education at Windsor High School in Kingston led her to a fulfilling career as a licensed practical nurse. Her gentle hands cared for many at Issac Barrant Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital. Mervin also brought her caring spirit to the National Children's Home in Jamaica, where she served as a House Mother, a role that showcased her natural nurturing qualities before she retired. Mervin's legacy is vast, with six children, twenty-four grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren. Her heart was filled with love, shared with Herbert Murphy and later, Herman Hewitt, who preceded her in death but remained cherished in her heart. Her story extended from the Caribbean Sea to the United States, where she lived for over thirty years, enjoying travels to England and Germany with her family, spreading her love across continents. Mervin's life was not just a series of events, but a reflection of her unbeatable spirit. Her faith, cultivated in the church, was her guiding light. Her spiritual journey started in the Pentecostal church where her grandfather was a minister; she later became a Methodist and found homes in Airy Castle Methodist, Jamaica, St Mark’s United Methodist, Montclair New Jersey and the First United Methodist Church of Canoga Park in West Hills.

In her final years, she was lovingly cared for at a nursing home, where she formed close bonds with her caregiver Maria and her favorite nurse, Marguerita who helped to ensure her last days were peaceful and dignified.

As we say farewell, we celebrate Mervin Welenza Hewitt—a family matriarch, a devoted nurse, a world traveler, and a faithful servant. Her story, alive in the memories of her large family, her friends, her church, and those she mentored, stands as a beacon to us all. Today, we recognize her journey, which continues to inspire and guide us. Her intelligence, wisdom, and life's rich story are her legacy, one that we embrace with love and respect. Mervin, your impact lives on through the lives you touched, the support you provided, and the love you spread. May your next journey be as filled with love as the life you lived among us. Rest in peace, dear Mervin, until we meet again.

Mervin Welenza Hewitt, age 91, of West Hills, California passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

A funeral service for Mervin will be held Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, 22700 Sherman Way, West Hills, CA 91307.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mervin's memory may be made to First UMC of Canoga Park, www.umccp.org or to a charity of your choice.