Dark nimbus clouds that descended as a veil over New Road All Age School, Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies, did not dampen the spirits of the ancestors including “Mass” Roland Kirlew and his wife “Miss Jimima, peasant farmer and housewife respectively from Happy Hall, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies who sat in the audience in the main auditorium of the school on Thursday, April 25, 2013 as the hour of 2.00 p.m. drew near for the appreciation Ceremony in honour of Nora D. “Kitty” “Teacher’ Kirlew-Lawrence was about to begin.
Seated on a raised platform overlooking the audience, was several distinguished persons that included: The Very Rev. Canon The Honourable Hartley D. Perrin, Custos Rotulorum for Westmoreland, Mr. C. A. Hitchman, Chairman of the School Board, Hon. Luther Buchanan, Member of Parliament, NE Westmoreland and Minister of State in the Government of Jamaica, Mrs. Jean Thompson, Education Officer, Ministry of Education Region 4, and Dr. Trevor Hacker, Guest Speaker.
During the ceremony that was punctuated with a praise dance, diverse tributes, and the singing of THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD to the tune the Happy Wanderer, the audience sat stone-faced in a somber mood during which the drop of a pin could be heard as Mrs. A. Hart-Russell, Acting Principal of the school began reading the Citation in which Nora “Kitty” “Teacher” Kirlew-Lawrence was lauded and Big Up as a phenomenal woman of impeccable character, an icon, motivator, and a God given treasurer, an educator extraordinaire who offered 44 years of dedicated service to New Road All Age School 1967-2011.
The citation ended by acknowledging Nora as an affirmative leader with a passion to create an ambiance for students and teachers to realize their goals through academic pursuance and cultural inclination. “The family owes you Nora, a great debt of gratitude for your promotional vision, cultural skills, and the mobilization of students’ welfare, especially those who were in your class. The many years you have spent catering and preparing sumptuous meals for students, visitors, and parents are indelibly etched in our subliminal consciousness. We will always remember you as a woman of impeccable character who brought love and joy to the lives that you have touched during your illustrious career. We remember you as someone who is never too busy to listen and care.”
Cheers to you for a Job well done! Congratulations to my cousin and school mate “Kitty” Kirlew-Lawrence for 44 years of service as an Educator at New Roads All-Age Primary School, Westmoreland, Jamaica. I was there when it all started. You have done a remarkable job in the community, you made us proud. And I know you have influenced many lives in the area to be trailblazers in our society. Sometimes we don’t realized that the God given talent that we are given is to make a difference in the lives of others, by molding and moving them in the right directions, its like clay in the potter’s hand after a while they came out as pure gold and I am sure you have molded many to be the best that they can be. I think without a doubt you have accomplished your mission. God bless and keep you. Have a lovely retirement. (Sheila & Huntley)