Dear Editor,

It is with a deep sense of shock that I learnt of Margarietta St Juste’s death and I wish to send my condolences to her family and friends.

Margarietta and I formed a lasting friendship from way back in the 80s when we were both at Jampro. We often sat together and discussed the film industry, as I was charged with the responsibility of building an industry in Jamaica and while I was burning with enthusiasm, I knew little of the industry. It was Margarietta who introduced me to her famous film family and through her and them, I gained a lot of valuable knowledge that helped me so much in understanding and promoting the industry.

After she was appointed Consul General to Canada and moved to Toronto, I missed her terribly, but soon learnt that her presence there became a valuable asset in driving film production to Jamaica. Her quiet charm, confidence and dedication to Jamaica put film producers at ease with Jamaica and she became an important part of the success of the film industry at that time.

Abroad, Margarietta and I shared in the agony of Hurricane Gilbert together as it hit our island home. Just before, I was scheduled to go to Toronto to promote the film industry, I asked her to book me into a hotel that would be inexpensive enough to make do with our small travelling allocation, whereupon she immediately said that I was not going to stay in a hotel, I should stay with her at her apartment.

She picked me up from the airport and we spent two days together promoting the industry before Gilbert struck Jamaica. Terrified, we listened to the news and wept together for our beloved country. I will never forget Margarietta saying the day after the hurricane as we sat wringing our hands, “The time for crying is over, Porteous, we have to help our country.”

She started a series of phone calls to all the movers and shakers in Toronto that lasted well into the night. I heard snippets of conversations: Jamaica needed food supplies… Jamaica needed blankets… Jamaica needed first aid… Jamaica needed this… Jamaica needed that and thank you so much on behalf of a grateful nation. She simply and graciously moved the whole city into mobilising assistance for Jamaica.

From time to time we spoke on the phone. I last saw her in Kingston and she was to come have roast chicken with me in Mandeville. Alas, that did not work out and I subsequently learnt of her passing.

I shall miss her. She was always so calm and so wise and without guile… so few left like her. But I shall always remember the lessons in life that she taught me and treasure them forever.

Sally Porteous

Mandeville, Manchester

sally.porteous@gmail.com