Will always remember my dear Sister Olive called fondly by her siblings As my husband’s neighbor Porus Manchester as the eldest daughter of th Klan she set the example of the importance of a good education which they all followed Merle being the stellar example of being The Spelling B champion of Jamaica also the highest number of passes in common entrance examination which included her nieces nephews grand nieces nephews and grandchildren being an ardent Christian and I being a Catholic I followed her example of keeping the Sabbath holy the accolades could go on and on but one regret I have all the above should have been told to her before she departed this life I can only imagine her being received in glory and the lord saying daughter welcome good and faithful servant

The Reality
I would like to start this tribute with what I am grateful for. I’m grateful for family. I am grateful for the appreciation I developed for education, independence, decency and stability, all because of you. I appreciate the lessons taught: in and out of the classroom.
Your love and faith in God was unwavering. Your boldness made others uncomfortable. Your conviction so strong, that you imposed your belief on everyone around you. It was your way or the highway – no negotiations!
Admittedly, this is a very emotional and challenging time for me. I’ve struggled to understand and accept this situation. Your departure from this earth has caused a deeply painful experience. It comes with a hurricane of emotions, processing, and reflection. It brings remnants of unfinished business and feelings to light. My mind wants to reject it all. But this is the reality. You are no longer with us in this world. I don’t know how one can summarize or speak to an entire life. There are so many intricacies. People are dynamic and their relationship with the world is infinitely complex. You were a unique human who was more than any of us can fully comprehend or speak to. I say this to say that I disagreed with much with respect to how you handled life in general. I wish you were softer, more understanding, more open with your feelings, more open to doing things differently, more accepting of other perspectives but your differences made you, you!

Grateful
I arrived home to see you after sifting through information and the realization of how gravely ill you were. I suspected your end was near. I missed you by hours. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you from my heart just hours before your soul flew away. I sought your forgiveness for not being more understanding of your inhumanely shortcomings. I gave you my forgiveness and released you. I had the opportunity to be part of a Remembrance Service dedicated to your life and I am so grateful. As I listened to tribute after tribute from individuals, past students and colleagues, I was inspired. Your students mostly caught my attention and had me deep in thought. I struggled and still do with the severity of your discipline. Your students uphold a sense of gratitude because you, undoubtedly, were influential in the trajectory of their lives. It was in that moment that I realized that all were equal and you had a staunch conviction that to “spare the rod, would be to spoil the child”. And I began to have conversations with myself, asking me why am I so conflicted? I got my answer; those students went home and I was home. So for me it went beyond tolerable discipline. But I have concluded that this was how you showed that you cared.

Consistency
When I reflect on my childhood, your presence was part of my limited consistency. I was mostly an only child as my step sister was older than me by many years. There was much I didn’t understand or quite frankly much I didn’t know was different from the outside world. I was sheltered. You did not see the necessity of having friends and so I kept me company for most of my childhood, perhaps kept me out of trouble as the substitute were books, pencils, bottles, leaves, self-made toys and the bible. I still struggle to extend myself to anyone beyond family. My friends were my family, so much the reason I have such value for family. We lived a humble life, nothing extra – just enough. I have never experienced food deprivation – always clean and groomed. Never missed a day from school unless duly necessary.

Invaluable Lessons
You taught me some of life’s most important lessons. And you did so in a unique, but powerful way. I was compelled to act in a certain manner and the struggle became real as we battled with conformity of really who I was – a rebel!

Stand straight! Sit upright at the table! Walk briskly – stop throwing yourself around!
Use a knife and fork! Begin eating from the front of your plate and work your way to the back!
Pronounce your words properly! Never allowed to speak any other language but the Queen’s English in your presence.
The first thing you do when you wake up is kneel and pray; the last thing you do before you go to bed is kneel and pray!
Brush your teeth and wash your face when you wake up; brush your teeth and wash your face before you go to bed!
“Speak the truth and speak it ever – cause it what it will! For he who hides the wrong he did, does the wrong thing still!”
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”
“It is not my Sabbath; it is the Lords’ Sabbath”! I would stand corrected!
I learnt how to be quiet; how to be seen and not heard - how to endure tough times! These are gifts you gave me that prepared me for a time such as this. I have made hard times look easy, always with a smile so the outside world doesn’t see the crucible of anxiety that I endure. More things I have learnt from you without understanding that these are traits I developed because of the environment I was raised in are- giving others even when you leave yourself bare, supporting and assisting your family. I have learnt not to be impartial – to be inclusive to all – to love all. I see how that hurts and divides. All are welcome!

I have learnt to stand boldly for what I believe in, even if it makes others uncomfortable. Offer no apology for who I am and my convictions. I have learnt that what others negatively perceive of me is none of my business, but God’s!

Authenticity
A poet said “We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” You lived this way. I feel you weren’t accountable to anyone. You did what you wanted to do and how you wanted to do it! The challenge came when your way did not align with others. It mostly felt like you stood behind the restrictive social walls and while you were free spirited in thought, speech and deeds, I wish rather than judging menial offences (by your standards), you sought to understand more. You had it in you. You visited and had compassion for the most valiant wrong doers (you visited them in prison), but you were angered by someone whose dress lacked sleeves. I couldn’t understand the standard by which sins were measured.

You had a deep faith in God. I learnt very early how to pray and though it took me years to appreciate the importance and purpose of prayer, I recall by age 4 and 5, I knew how to recite the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 9 – 13) as well as Psalm 23 in its entirety. This gift has carried me through the valleys of life. Going to church was always focal. I remember the first Saturday like it was yesterday, when you woke me up and took me to New Haven Seventh Day Adventist Church. I was confused because just the Sunday before we had attended (and we had attended many times before) The Open Bible Church on the boulevard. I was confused and I dare not question why this was happening. It was odd and unpopular and you were not concerned with what people thought. I grew to accept the normalcy of it. And each Saturday we went to church while others headed to the market with their baskets, and it became a foundation of spirituality for me. So I grew up to live authentically and be comfortable with that. Because of experiences such as this, I now embrace differences and diversity. I choose courage over comfort. I live by what I think is right, not what I think is expected of me.

I say what is on my mind without hesitation except to ensure my words fall within the guides of common decency. These experiences gave me an invulnerable strength. That strength endures. It’s with me today.

My Love
I knew you loved bright colors and that you didn’t like dark clothing. It was a joy to shop for you to make sure you had pretty things. I would purchase you intimate clothing and tell you it was important to keep a bag packed with all the necessities for an over-night visit and you would simply give them away. You would show off your church clothing and you kept them in impeccable condition. You would tell folks, "Anne buys me beautiful clothing - great quality!" As I packed away your clothing I realized that you kept most pieces, most still looking almost brand new. Many have approached me to say how proud you were that I took care of my father, financially. And it saddened me to think you thought I did it just for him because, in-fact, I did it for both of you. So, you didn’t have the financial burden of his care - so your quality of life did not deteriorate to a level of hardship. I made the sacrifice not just for him but for both of you! I never felt that you understood my love and that is a miserable regret. On the other hand, I too never understood your emotions either. I never felt your love.

Moving Forward
As I wrap up, I take this opportunity not just to say good-bye but to thank you for the contribution you made to my development, in who I am and the individual I have become. As I raise my two children, I have made my own mistakes, but much of the values I have tried to instill in them are the same values you tried to instill in me. I rest my faith in the same God you introduced me to – the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of Abraham, the God of David, the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as I move forward and onward!

Your dawn has come!
Your song is ended, but the melody lingers on.
You will be on my mind forever and always!
Rest in Peace!


Your step-daughter (Anne Marie Lindsay-Kerr)

Today, I continue to express my appreciation, respect and gratitude to Lady Olive Lindsay for the tremendous transfomational impact she had on my life. She taught me faith, leadership, discipline, respect, conduct, priority and the ability to believe in my potential.
I came in contact with Mrs Lindsay when I was a student at the Duhaney Park Primary School between 1986-1992. I remember her fitness, full of vim, vigor and vitality as she would often challenge her younger colleagues in race on sports day and would often win. Even if you as a student needed the rod of correction, you would not be able to outrun her on a any given day. And even if you manage to get away that day, you would get that pointer finger and the wink that say, “long run short catch.” She believed in the ability of ALL her students to learn and to achieve excellence. I will forever be thankful for changing the trajectory of my life. On day when she taught Religious Education looking at various denominations, I asked which she belongs to, to which she replied Seventh-day Adventist. I said to her, I would love to come with her one day as I never heard of people worshiping on any other day than Sunday. She said as long as your father is ok with it you can come this Saturday. All was approved by my dad and as Faith would have it there was a Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal that belonged to a friend of my dad at our home. I was so amazed to have seen so many of my school mates (Glenroy Johnson, Gary Carr) , teachers (Mrs Thompson) and neighbors (Browns, Diviney) from my community at the New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church. I never missed Sabbath since then until my baptism August of 1992 by Pastor Ucall Harris under a Tent at Baldwin Crescent.

The following year, my dad was murdered and Mrs Lindsay was there to envelop me in her arms and gave me the assurance that God will carry me through. She never lied, God did and continues to carry me today as Servant ministering on His behalf.

Thank you Lady Olive Lindsay.

It is still hard to imagine my aunt Olive ( Sistaaalive) not here. . It’s surreal. Still processing.

So glad for the opportunity to appropriate these human ceremonies , rituals and rites of passage to help us come to terms with our mortality. Even as we hold fast to Faith that says death where is thy sting? Thanks to Jesus the Christ who Faith says overcame death. And to physics that says energy does not cease it only changes.

I Add my thanks to the orchestra! I too Recall her home as the refuge temple - the place to which we fled in crises. She was indeed I now recognize, my role model for this saviour mindset, as my home too, become a sanctuary for many. Bringing immense blessings. 

In death we do eulogize ( speak good words ...). But indeed like all mere mortals auntie had her Jekle and Hyde ways. Which of us do not? A teacher of the old school striking fear in the heart of students - even then many adored her. She Would be arrested in modern times for not sparing the rod.

As family member aunt Olive lived passionately, reprimanding harshly, fiercely loyal, fighting battles literally when younger for those she ferociously protected. Condolences to her 2 daughters, their children and their children’s children, my  cousins all; her remaining siblings, my aunts and uncles and our network of extended fambli. Our prayers uphold us. 

She was faithful to a tee, to a marriage spanning 6 decades - taking literally the vows: “ till death us do part”. My condolences to Papa - Harold Lindsay , her endearing name for her spouse who survives her. They chose each other. They stood by that choice. She supported his care for a long long time. Sadly as often occurs, the caregiver crumbles first. Our prayers sustain him.

It takes a positive mindset, maturity , character and shredding of ego to mine the meaning of the harshness my aunt, for some, manifested. Strident in her Adventist’s Faith, I had to hold fast to my Anglicanism to not be bowled over. I appreciated that we loved God in Jesus in different mansions. I learnt in awe that she walked the streets of Duhaney Park, evangelizing; that Riverton, where many of us middle and upper classes have never ventured, was her stomping ground for Christ.

May “Sistaalive” find her reward in the arms of her Saviour. She claimed His forgiveness. May we receive hers and reciprocate. She is born again. She gave many new life and hope through education, neighborliness and works of charity.

  Behold all things are passed away, all things are made new. Rest In Peace and rise in glory my amazing aunt. You said often , how tired you were, in your last months. Rest eternal is now yours ... Reenergising, oh yes oh yes for your rise in glory. Until then!

Your Neice Waapi !! Wappo! ( Patricia “ Hopey” Donald Mitchell Phillips. Sidonie’s daughter. ).

Tribute for Sis Olive (Olive Lindsay-nee Morrison) (d. 30/!2/2020)
by Jonathan Morrison (last brother)
1. Graduation Just a year short of half a century ago, but it seems like only yesterday our eldest sibling, Olive gifted me my graduation suit.
2. Murdina, her daughter and of course my niece, and I were graduating from high school
3. It was a new beginning. The start of a grown up relationship with my niece our eldest sibling, Sister Olive, Ann Marie Lindsay, her daughter and stepdaughter and her faithful, dutiful and devoted husband Harold Lindsay.
4. But she did more than just buy me a graduation suit. She was destined to do much more for me. She took me in with open arms at her famous Duhaney Park residence, when Murdina and I landed jobs at the Gleaner company, as cub reporters.
5. But it didn't end there. Still in my late teens, I felt it was time I flew the coop. So, after a year or so I ventured on my own, much to her consternation, but with her blessings and support. In well under a year of my departure, I was back at the safest haven I know, Sister Olive's blessed Duhaney Park. There was still more for her to do for me. I walked away from the Gleaner job in the mid-1970s. I wanted a more accredited career. It was before the time of journalism school and I just felt that being a newspaper reporter was not quite a career. It took little or no formal training to write for the media. Writing is a talent.
6. But I walked into trouble. I thought with my many contacts made in the couple years spent on the reporter's beat, I could pick up something while I aimed for a career. It was a bad time. The economy was worsening and jobs were now hard to come by.
7. But Sister Olive was there to the rescue. Again! By then she had been in the teaching profession for some 20 years and she used her connection to secure me a place as a pre-trained teacher at the then Denham Town Secondary School. The rest is, as they say, history.
8. For the something like 50 years her Duhaney Park residence served as an ASSEMBLY POINT for the solution of multiple family crises. Her home was also a REASSEMBLY PLANT for the broken lives of individual family members. I will not elaborate, because those who are supposed to know, do.
I'm here on the occasion of the celebration of her life and worth, merely to offer a tiny reminder as we gather to bid goodbye to an immortal spirit and to lay her mortal remains to rest.
5. It's very tempting to make this into a eulogy or remembrance, so full and over-flowing were the good intentions from the big and generous heart of Olive Lindsay. ..REST IN PEACE SISTER OLIVE. YOU HAVE ACCOUNTED MAGNIFICENTLY FOR YOUR TIME HERE ON EARTH. I KNOW BECUASE I AM A YOUR BROTHER WHO HAS BENEFITTED IMMENSELY, HELPING IN NO UNCERTAIN WAY, TO BE ABLE TO STAND HERE TO SING YOUR FINAL PRAISES.
Feb 22, 2021