Ivy Lynn Wynter

Ivy Lynn Wynter was born to Albert & Dora Lee Clarke, in Williamsfield, Westmoreland. The second of six children, Lynn as she was affectionately known was sister to Gwendolyn and Phyllis (deceased) Pansy and Norma and older brother, Fabian (deceased).

They all attended Williamsfield Elementary School, completing first, second and third year level examinations. The closely knit family of six was exposed to loving yet disciplined family life from youthful stages as the family was always surrounded by extended families residing in the surrounding communities in Westmoreland. As .as the saying goes - "It takes a Village". The family lost their father and husband Albert when Lynn was age 17, which then left Dora Lee to raise her six children alone, a job well done indicated by the way the sisters lived their lives throughout, loving, sharing and protecting each other. They also lost their only brother, Fabian, at an early adult age which now left Lynn to help her mother raise her younger siblings.

Lynn subsequently met the late Lester Segre Wynter, a teacher from Brompton, St. Elizabeth. They were married on January 3, 1946. The union produced eight (8) children. As Lester's teaching career moved him around Western Jamaica, the first four children - Hyacinth, Yvonne, Jean and Rose-Marie were born in Hanover, and the last four - Trevor, Cheryl, Denise and Michael born in Westmoreland. Lynn took on a major role as stay home mother to raise her eight children. Lester and Lynn ensured a strong disciplined and spiritual upbringing as they raised their family, Lester, an organist actively serving in the Music ministry at several Anglican churches in Hanover and Westmoreland.

Then in 1961, the family moved to Kingston, where the children continued their education attending primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Kingston.

As the children became more independent, Lynn then entered the work force at Kingston Public Hospital in Medical Records, to later become the Chief Medical Records Officer. From there, she was subsequently appointed to the Chief Medical Records Officer at then newly constructed Bustamante Children's Hospital in Kingston, the first Children's Hospital built to serve the English-speaking Caribbean. Her career allowed her the opportunity to travel several Caribbean islands on behalf of the Jamaican Health Ministry. On retirement both parents then moved to South Florida to join the rest of the family, her sisters and some of the children who had already migrated.

They both became active members of the Holy Sacrament Church family in 1988. They were both volunteers at the Carver Ranches Senior Center for several years. And she continued at the Memorial Hospital, Pembroke, and simultaneously at the Church office. Lester passed on in December 1995, two weeks prior to their Golden (50th) Wedding anniversary. She then became even more active in church ministry, a member of the Altar Guild and actively volunteering at the Church Office when she became ill with a massive stroke in November 2011. After several months of rehabilitation, she partly recovered and continued her regular presence at Church until some three years ago when she became bed-ridden.

Lynn can be described by everyone who knew her as a wonderful and loving mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Her true passion in life was great family time with her children and her sisters, extended family and friends. Lynn was always held in high esteem as she embraced everyone with genuine warmth and thoughtfulness, always offering a kind hand, every indication of her big heart, and truly loved by all. Then there was her charm, her sophistication and her high sense of style and fashion, with a wide selection of hats and accessories which made her the talk of every event.

Beside her professional career and her family life to which she was totally devoted, Lynn enjoyed a great conversation of politics, gardening, and singing, swaying to every beat.

With a serene, determined, strong spirit and with the unwavering faith of Job, our dear mother, servant and friend has "Fought a Good Fight, finished her course and Kept her Faith''.

Lynn is predeceased by her husband Lester, and first child Hyacinth (Dec. 2005), and is now happily reconnected with them and 'singing with the heavenly choir of angels.'

To you our dear Ivy Lynn, mother, (in-law) aunt, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother cousin, friend.

Rest in Peace.