BY AINSWORTH MORRIS

Life Tributes writer

morrisa@jamaicaobserver.com

WHILE many people were busy exchanging gifts and partaking in traditions associated with Mothers’ Day last month, family members of the late Icilda Thomas, affectionately called ‘Mama’, instead gathered around her bedside to say their last goodbye.

Thomas, a 69-year-old retiree from Alligator Pond in Manchester, also known as ‘Ms Icy’ and ‘Tahya’, was admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona after a stroke. She died on May 14, eight days before her 70th birthday.

The thanksgiving service celebrating Thomas’s life was held on June 3 at Christ Ambassador Church in Alligator Pond and officiated by Reverend Vivian Gordon.

Although there were few tributes in word, the atmosphere was filled with weeping and cries for ‘Mama’ by her eight children, grandchildren, grandchildren and other mourners.

According to Odette Malcolm and Winsome Paisley, close family friends, who read a tribute and eulogy respectively, the family’s most fearful news was delivered to them after Thomas took her last breath on May 14 at 2:58 pm.

“The nurse informed us that Mama had gotten critically ill and would not make it through the night. It was the most frightening experience a daughter should have endured.” Malcolm said as she began reading the script written by Elaine, eldest daughter of Thomas.

“Most of the over 29 grandchildren and over 27 great-grandchildren still think Mama is in Kingston and will come home soon,” she said. “In fact, one three-year-old, Javier, asked me why mi down here crying and Mama deh a Town?

Why don’t I carry Mama back a country mek dem see her and stop hollering,” she added.

That statement sparked spontaneous laughter, breaking the sombre mood that hitherto prevailed in the church.

Paisley, in her delivery, said that Thomas’s death was not only a major blow to relatives, but community members in Alligator Pond were also hurting.

“Others are all going to miss Mama’s warm smile, kind and gentle ways,” Paisley commented.

“I am sure Mama’s father, Downer and Miss Mavis, her mother, have both welcomed her home,” she added.

“Mama will also link up with her friends: Miss Eva, Norma, Sa Bell, Julie’s Doreen, Miss Mamam, Aunty Kecks, Eerick, Cynthia, Sa Ruth, Uncle Charles, Brother Don, Sonia, Lil, Sa Betsy, Police Phyllis, her son Remmy, and her grandson Kemmy,” said Paisley to which mourners, including the elderly who knew the people whose names were called, laughed uncontrollably.

Thomas’s Alligator Pond colleagues also raised serious questions about who would continue her well known culinary tradition and “deliciously flavoured pots” including her famous turtle meat.

Thomas’s death leaves a void in the hearts of her husband of 56 years, Audley, her daughters, Elaine, Yvonne, Joyce, Beverley, Desreen, Michelle, and Jamaica Observer Limited administrative assistant Vanneth Kirlew, and her son Delroy.

She was interred in the Alligator Pond Cemetery, just metres away from her home.