Hazel Louise Vaz, the founder and former principal of the renowned Vaz Preparatory School in east Kingston, was yesterday laid to rest following a service that, from all indications, she would have enjoyed immensely.

Family members, teachers and students – past and present – crowded into the Maranatha Gospel Assembly to pay their respects, and in Vaz’s usual punctual and disciplined manner, began what turned out to be a joyous remembrance precisely on time.

Friends and family of the former educator, who in her lifetime was honoured by the nation with an Order of Distinction for her contribution to education, were liberal in their praise of Vaz, who died last week after a long illness at the age of 92.

“She was a woman who loved life, who loved nice things, loved going on holiday and always smelled nice,” said her niece Beverly Ulett, who is currently the principal of the school. “Aunty always gave the biggest hugs and the best gifts. She decided to be a mother to as many children as she could,” Ulett added.

Vaz’s daughter, Paulette, and granddaughter Annaleise Ulett-East both read touching tributes, the former a Mother’s Day letter written in 2003, the latter a poem that both touched and amused, fondly remembering how hard it was to join the ‘CPC’ (Clean Plate Club) during dinner.

In her remembrance, daughter Veronica Vaz-Paterson identified her mother’s guiding mantra: ‘God and church first, family second, then work’, and painted a verbal portrait of the mother she says saved her many times from “going over the cliff”.

“She used all her qualities – humility, unswerving faith, strict discipline, generosity, modesty, mental and physical strength and composure – for one purpose, to get people into heaven. We had family prayers every morning, rain or shine, and family prayers on Sunday, where we were also required to learn a scripture verse,” remembered Vaz-Paterson.

Yvonne Boxe, who delivered a tribute on behalf of the teachers at Vaz Prep, remembered Vaz as a “firm yet loving” employer whose attention to discipline and detail was consistent and remarkable.

“Discipline was expected at all times – not only of the children, but also of teachers and parents while on the school compound,” said Boxe, recalling memories of having to learn the “distinctive Vaz Prep penmanship” before being allowed to take on a class.

“She was a Christian by words and deeds who gave of her wisdom, faith and compassion, and possessed the rarest quality of mankind – kindness,” added Boxe.

Former Vaz Prep student and boarder Janet Mignott brought back memories of the Vaz Prep Friday morning spelling tests, which students were not allowed to fail, and the attendant preparations necessary for those tests.

“You were the solid foundation for all our lives,” added Mignott, choking slightly on her tears.

“She was a visionary who lived a consistent, exemplary Christian life and exuded strength and love,” said Arnold Aiken, senior elder at the Galilee Gospel Hall, where Vaz was a member for decades. “She lived a life devoted to teaching, she was a visionary, but she would like us to remember her as a humble servant of God. We will miss her, but we are happy and confident she will be with her Lord.”

Professor Errol Miller, himself an educator and a close friend of Vaz, drew attention to her achievements in education, pointing out that the school was not the first to be started and run by a woman, but was the only one in Kingston that has retained its stature and its name long after its founder stepped away.

“She designed and developed a model for education that many now follow, and in her lifetime Hazel Vaz succeeded in touching the world,” said Miller.

Hazel Vaz, a graduate of Wolmer’s Girls’ School and Tutorial College, began her teaching career in 1931 at the Morris Knibb Preparatory School before moving on to start Vaz Prep in 1951. Beginning with mostly family and the children of friends, the school grew from strength to strength with Vaz personally teaching and guiding students, and even serving in the role of mother for students who boarded with her family.

Today, the school has 1,500 students enrolled, and is considered to be one of the best schools in Jamaica.