Carmen Viola Carter

On Christmas day in 1926, Luther and Pastora Neale of Decoy District in St. Mary, Jamaica welcomed their fifth child, Carmen Viola to their family. Carmen attended Guys Hill Primary School, after which she worked for the Jamaica Welfare Centre producing straw baskets, hats, placemats and other items for the local and export markets. As was common in those days, she moved to the capital city, Kingston in search of opportunity; she worked in a clothing store there for several years and it was there that she met her late husband Amos Augustus Carter (“Carter”). In the 1950s, Carmen and Carter migrated to Birmingham England, got married, and she obtained a position with a clothing manufacturer. The couple migrated to Toronto, Canada in 1960s where Carmen worked at Simpson’s Department Store until her retirement in 1989

Carmen was the fifth of ten children, and as conventional wisdom goes: the middle child is the peacemaker, neither fussy, nor high-maintenance - these aptly describe how Carmen lived her life. Perhaps explained by her work experience, Carmen was a stylish lady who had a taste for good things: she was meticulous and “proper” and special china was a requirement for Sunday dinner.

A very hard worker, Carmen was independent and strong-willed, and followed through with whatever she set her mind to do. She was considerate, supportive and kind and many a letter was sent to her sisters back home. A loving aunt, especially to her brother Lavern’s children, Carmen attended her niece’s wedding in Jamaica, despite not being a fan of flying. Having experienced the loss of two children, one who was stillborn and a daughter Lynn who lived for less than two years, Carmen did not raise children of her own. However, she was instrumental in the rearing of her nephew’s children; she baby sat them regularly and in fact, they would travel to Jamaica with her to visit the family matriarch. Carmen was a surrogate grandmother to them and their children, doting on them like any Grandma or Great Grandma would.

Carmen found comfort in being a regular church-goer for years, and even when she needed a cane, she would carefully make her way to the bus stop so she could attend service at The Peoples Church-it was only in recent times that she would accept a ride from her friend to and from services. When she was no longer able to attend regularly, she would tune in to services on television. Carmen’s warm hospitality was consistent. When her nieces and nephews would visit, she made sure they were comfortable and well fed! A phone call to her wouldn’t end without her asking after your immediate family and sending them her love.

Carmen, you will always be remembered as our beloved “grandmother”, sister, aunt and friend. May your soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon you.

Carmen is survived by sisters Myrtle and Irma, brothers Clifford, Winston and Lavern, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday October 1, 2020 from 12:30 - 1: 30 pm. at R. S. Kane Funeral Home. The Funeral service will follow the visitation immediately, beginning at 1:30 pm. Interment will follow at Westminster Cemetery. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family (link found below).

As an alternative, the funeral service will be live-streamed. The YouTube Link is:

https://youtu.be/OLoeymBEpv4v