This website was created in memory of our loved one, Sister Mary Bernadette Little RSM, 89, former principal of the Convent of Mercy (Alpha) Academy in Kingston, Jamaica, an inspiration to thousands of young ladies , who was born on November 21, 1924 and passed away on February 9, 2014. We will remember her forever.
Tributes
Leave a tributeYour kind, selfless heart, and your unending love for your family will always be remembered. I am blessed to have had you as my blood.. Thank you for being someone so many people could look up to.
So calm with a good sense of humour & a strong sense of responsibility & she held steadfast to her belief in Christ.
One day, I happened to be at the convent entrance just wandering, and you and sister Shirley were talking and it so happened that we ended up playing scrabble. And you never showed off your intellect, you were gentle with this little young boy from Alpha and you gave me courage to the point of challenging your word: CINQUE; and you won the challenge and I learned a new word.
Sister, you embedded in me that I can do and be anything I want to do or be by your example.
Finally, I was very happy to represent the Alpha Old Boys' from the U.K. and the U.S. at your Vespers at Alpha and the beautiful Mass of Christian Burial at The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity.
Sister, you have fought the good fight and the Father calls you to your rest! Sleep on Beloved!
With deepest appreciation and affection from Evadne, Joyce [John], Carol, Rosemond [Squirewell] Rosalie [Blair] and Patricia
While working at Norman Manley Airport in 2002 I saw Sister B enter the Immigration Hall. I ran and greeted her and asked "do you remember me?". "Of course, you're the lady who changed her surname in 5th form". I couldn't believe it. This was 17 years after I left CMA and she still remembered.
A beautiful lady. She still is synonymous with the name Alpha. She has been etched in our minds and hearts and so will not be forgotten.
However, despite my 'fear and awe', I found her to be very loving and kind. She saw worth in me when I never even saw it in myself, and elected me a dorm prefect. (A job I did not like, but it forced me to come out of my comfort zone.) When I got sick with the dengue fever, she personally came to see me to offer words of comfort before I was sent home because I was so seriously ill. She always had a kind word of encouragement. Behind the stern exterior was always a mentor looking to bring out the best in her girls.
Sister Bernadette lived a very noble and worthwhile life that was pleasing to God. It is enough that she was a living example to Alpharians. Her girls took it much further and have become wonderful, productive citizens and role models for their families. She shaped, molded and created wonderful human beings.
Love is eternal. Rest in peace and glory oh very deserving one.
Your legacy lives on long after your human life ends; now you are reaping the joy and magnificence you created in the presence of our Almighty God.
Always and Forever grateful
Betty
You've had such an impact on my life that I find myself relaying to my daughter, the pearls of wisdom you imparted to us your beloved students. You showed your love for your students in words and action and you've contributed to the development of strong, intelligent successful women.
You'll forever be missed. Much love!
Love Infinity
Suzette
Shanane & Karen (who also attended Alpha)
Class of 1981
This song sung by all who want the best for me reminds me to use the talents gifted to me at birth to be the unique being I am destined to be. Reminding me to draw the picture as I see it for the God of the things as they are, and to leave a joyous memory in the quilted path of time.
Thank you Sister and rest in peace.
Jean McDowell-Forbes and all the McDowell girls
Sister Mary Bernadette's time with us was spent nurturing what lies between 'yesterday & tomorrow' a job [collectively] WELL DONE!
Your candle no longer shines,
The pain you had has all gone now,
Feel the peace engulf your mind,
Place yourself inside your soul
And fly with him on the wind,
For he is here to take you home,
Just reach out and hold his hand.
Proud to be a product of "Sister B"...always true to "The Good and the True".
My God, I am Thine for time and eternity
Teach me to cast myself entirely
Into the arms of Thy loving providence
With the most lively, unlimited confidence
In Thy compassionate, tender pity
Grant me, O most Merciful Redeemer
That whatever Thou dost ordain or permit
May be acceptable to me.
Take from my heart all painful anxiety
Suffer nothing to sadden me but sin
Nothing to delight me, but the hope
of coming to the possession of Thee,
My God and my all
In Thine everlasting Kingdom.
Amen.
________________________________________________________
We cherish your life and proudly carry your legacy. You touched us all and we bear your mark. And you made a difference in this Alpha Girl's life. Today and always, I sing for you this Suscipe that you taught us. God rest your soul, Sister Bernadette.
"Dearly beloved Sister Bernadette, you affected my life in such a phenomenal way that at the end of fifth form I wanted to become a nun.
Your exceptional poise, regal stature and erudite words of wisdom were unsurpassed. I dreamt of walking up and the grounds of Alpha ensuring that all the young ladies were studiously engaged, just like you!
I lived for Assembly when you would instruct us on how to carry ourselves like ladies. The values you taught us of love of God and respect and love of our fellowmen are indelibly imprinted and have been passed on to our children and children's children. Indeed, your legacy will continue in our hearts and the hearts of future generations.
Thank you Sister Bernadette for making Jamaica, and indeed the wider a better place".
You inspired me with your leadership, your grace and composure. Now the lightness of your joy will elevate you to places for more greatness, wonderment and adventure. Let the curious spirit that you are soar beyond bounds, pioneering even more into eternity through the mystic spiral of unending life, love and joy.
For this I am truly grateful for the opportunity I had to be a part of the Alpha family and to be molded by Sister B to become a lady. My memories of her will live on as I continue to treasure her impact on my own education and on so many others..
May her soul rest peacefully, into eternity.
Leave a Tribute
Your kind, selfless heart, and your unending love for your family will always be remembered. I am blessed to have had you as my blood.. Thank you for being someone so many people could look up to.
Tribute to Sister Bernadette
As I watched the live stream of Sister Bernadette’s funeral and said a prayer for the repose of her soul, I thought with gratitude of all that she meant to me. In short, Sister Bernadette changed my life. Early in my adolescence, I moved to Alpha from another school, where I had been a class clown with poor grades. At that time, Sister B was headmistress of both Alpha Academy and Alpha boarding school. The jolt I needed was this double dose of Sister Bernadette. As headmistress of Alpha Academy, she set high standards of which I quickly became acutely aware. As a boarder at the school, I benefitted from her one-on-one discussions about the importance of hard work. She spoke to me about my hard-working parents and my responsibility to them. I saw myself as a class clown but Sister Bernadette saw an adolescent who needed molding. She started my evolution by bolstering my confidence through increased responsibilities. She expounded with passion about language, literature and faith. I experienced up close her infectious passion for education, which she transmitted to me. Now I can say that Sister B transformed this failing class clown into a career educator who went on to achieve a PhD in Second Language Education and to publish textbooks that are currently in use in Québec schools. Thank you, Sister B!
Under Sister Bernadette’s tutelage, none of the “horrors” of boarding school existed. As boarders at Alpha, we were treated to a headmistress with an exhilarating love of life and a profound understanding of adolescent girls’ needs and insecurities. In addition to telling us, “You can’t just eat, sleep and lie down,” she took us to movies and plays, especially if they corresponded to a Shakespeare play that we were studying in school. She also allowed us to attend dances at St. Georges’ College, with selected escorts, who had ‘passed her test’ after an in-depth talk. Before Sister B gave her approval for them to take us to a dance, she had to be persuaded that they would respect us and show us a good time at the dance. As my cousin, a St. Georges’ boy who was one of the approved escorts, told me, he felt so privileged that he would do nothing to displease Sister B! Indeed, boarding school memories with Sister B at the helm were precious. Thank you, Sister B!
A few years ago I received a pleasant call during teacher appreciation week from CBC Montreal radio telling me that they were doing a show about favourite teachers. They called me because the technician for the show had named me as her favourite teacher of all time and they wanted to know who my favourite teacher of all time was. On this live CBC Montreal radio show, I named Sister B and explained my reasons, stated above. My only regret is that in life I never shared this with Sister B. I am truly blessed to have known this remarkable woman. Rest in peace, dear Sister Mary Bernadette!
Pamela Lewis-Gunning (1964)
Possibilities!!!
Sister Bernadette offered herself to the love of Christ. Her mission continues in our work here at Alpha. Thanks to the guidance of Mr. Mackran Singh, other past principals, administrators; past and current, administrators and teachers and the past and current students. I feel blessed to have known her and working along with those who continue to strive for excellence!
Bless us here!