SPENDING her early years in Carisbrook, St James, Mavis Jarrett was uneasy with the rigors of country life.

So, in her late teens, the feisty youngster moved to Kingston to live with her mother, stepfather, elder sister and brother.

"One of the hottest young ladies in Carisbrook, she was never comfortable with odd jobs in the country," said grand niece Fern Whyte, who read Jarrett's remembrance.

In Kingston, Aunt Mavis, as younger relatives called her, found life more to her liking with her special talent for cooking.

But even with her preference for city life, Mavis, who attended Carisbrook Primary School, never forsook her country roots.

"She always returned home to Carisbrook," said niece Gloria Graham in her tribute.

"One thing, even though she loved to cook, when Mavis came back to country she would never cook," Graham said adding that her aunt was a strong-willed person.

Graham recounted Aunt Mavis's first trip to New York some years ago where she took the subway all by herself, getting around to the amazement of family members.

"At that time I was living in Miami and I never took the subway when I went to New York," Graham said.

"Mavis was not afraid of doing anything, she was adventurous."

Whyte, also emphasising Aunt Mavis's strong personality, recalled her as the defender of the family in Kingston.

"Mavis was always ready with her hot tongue to defend her sister and other relatives," she said adding that they quietly called her 'Kong' because of her attitude.

Jarrett, born June 30, 1933 died on August 26, 2012.

Her thanksgiving service was held at the St Cyprian's Anglican Church in August Town on Saturday, September 8.

She was interred at the St Cyprian's Cemetery.