Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Payne, a consummate banker, paved the way for Jamaica’s women
Korey Rowe (left), Saint InternationalFashionface of the Caribbean winner for2011, attended the launch with his friendTiffany Davidson.
News
AINSWORTH MORRIS Life Tributes writer morrisa@jamaicaobserver.com  
January 26, 2013

Payne, a consummate banker, paved the way for Jamaica’s women

MARIE-THERESE Augusta Payne, retired deputy managing director of the National Commercial Bank, was, on January 19, remembered for her contribution to the development in the banking sector and the women’s movement in Jamaica in the late 20th century.

In offering the sole remembrance at the thanksgiving service held at Sts Peter & Paul Church, located off Old Hope Road in Kingston, Angela Beckford, daughter of the deceased, recalled her mother as one of the leaders who paved the way for women to progress in Jamaica, when she was employed by Barclays Bank.

“In 1978, when Barclays Bank was nationalised by the Jamaican Government, Mummy was appointed to the second highest position in the bank — deputy managing director,” Beckford said.

“She was the first female in Barclays Bank International to be appointed managing director’s assistant. Her sharp and analytical mind brought her much success and she was promoted through the ranks. She was instrumental in ensuring equity for women within NCB and led the development of an after-care/nursery — The Augusta Payne House,” she added.

As a consummate banker, Beckford said many recalled that her mother could analyse business plans and financial statements quickly. She also said her mother was also able to quickly identify strong and weak areas. Additionally, she was able to make crucial decisions as to which project and business loans were worth processing for profit generation at the bank.

It was for these reasons and more, her mother was given the opportunity to advance into positions which were traditionally dominated by men in the financial sector.

In addition to her regular bank duties at the largest indigenous bank then, Payne served on several boards, such as The Gleaner Company and Jamaica Producers Group, before her retirement.

According to Beckford, her 84-year-old mother, who was diagnosed with alzhiemers disease, was also a remarkable woman who worked hard to provide shelter, food and other needed necessities for her family.

“You would think to achieve as much as she did she would be working all the time — family life and friendships would suffer. She got home by 6:00 pm every workday and would rarely if ever take work home,” she said as she recounted episodes in her mother’s life.

“Mommy was always there for her family. When my father attended Cornell University soon after their marriage, there wasn’t enough money, so, instead of holding on to the fact that she was the daughter of a judge, she rolled up her sleeves and took jobs as a domestic servant,” she said.

“When my father couldn’t attend classes because he was working, she went to them and took notes. Imagine my mother, who had never attended university, sitting in a postgraduate master’s degree programme taking notes. My father used to boast that my mother’s notes were so good, he could study from them and pass any test,” Beckford said.

According to Beckford, Payne’s first stint in the financial sector occurred when her husband became ill.

“When my father became ill, she again put her shoulder to the wheel and buckled down at Barclays Bank,” she said.

Beckford further stated that education was paramount amongst the priorities Payne had set for her children.

“She was at every ballet practice and dance rehearsal. I can remember vividly Mummy sitting at the back of the ballet class, chatting with the other dance mothers about every day matters while sewing her tapestries. One would never know that such a powerful individual sat among them,” Beckford said.

In addition to her career and family life, Payne, who was of strong Catholic Christian faith, served as a lector and a Sunday School teacher at Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church and headed the Catholic Women’s League at the church for several years.

And despite her immense contribution to Jamaica’s banking sector, Payne was Dominican.

She was born on the 28th August 1928 in Roseau, Dominica, on the feast of St Augustine (the saint from whom she got her name) to parents Alexander and Sybil Cools-Lartigue.

During her childhood, she spent time in Dominica, St Vincent, Grenada, and St Lucia, “because her father worked for the British Government as Attorney General, and was transferred between the islands with his family”. In 1953, the family settled in Jamaica when her father was appointed as a Puisne/Supreme Court Judge.

She died on January 9. Cremation will occur at a later date.

She leaves behind her children, Alison Martin, Solange Fielding, Martin Payne, and Angela Beckford, sisters, Angela, Rosamund, and Celia and seven grandchildren.

 

 

The late Marie-Therese Augusta Payne
The reverend Monsignor ProfessorKenneth Mock Yen assists inmoderating the thanksgiving service.
Payne’s daughter, Solange Fielding,delivers the universal prayer inhonour of her departed mother.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

St Mary police seek common-law husband after alleged attack on partner
Latest News, News
St Mary police seek common-law husband after alleged attack on partner
August 23, 2026
ST MARY, Jamaica — The St Mary police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a man wanted in connection with the attempted murder of his 51-y...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Turban X brings message of faith on Hill And Gully Riddim
Entertainment, Latest News
Turban X brings message of faith on Hill And Gully Riddim
August 23, 2026
Even before it was released in April, the Hill And Gully Riddim from producer Stephen McGregor was creating the proverbial buzz in dancehall circles. ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest ‘Spider-Man’ tops American box office for 4th weekend
Entertainment, Latest News
Latest ‘Spider-Man’ tops American box office for 4th weekend
August 23, 2026
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Spider-Man: Brand New Day is still riding high in the North American box office, topping ticket sales for the fourt...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica dethroned as Haiti claim CFU U-14 boys title
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica dethroned as Haiti claim CFU U-14 boys title
August 23, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica were dethroned as kings of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-14 Boys Tier 1 Challenge Series on Sunday after they w...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trinidad police launch investigation after newborn found abandoned in box
International News, Latest News, Regional
Trinidad police launch investigation after newborn found abandoned in box
August 23, 2026
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad and Tobago police have launched an investigation after a newborn girl was found in a cardboard box at the sid...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Seville breaks meet record to win men’s 100m in Poland Diamond League
Latest News, Sports
Seville breaks meet record to win men’s 100m in Poland Diamond League
August 23, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — World Championships gold medallist Oblique Seville ran a meeting record of 9.83 seconds (1.4m/s) to win the men’s 100m on Sunday’s...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Humanoids break records at Beijing Robot Games
International News, Latest News
Humanoids break records at Beijing Robot Games
August 23, 2026
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Faceless humanoids exceeded human records and delighted hundreds of spectators at the World Robot Games over the weekend in Bei...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Pope calls for more efforts to stop Ebola in DR Congo
International News, Latest News
Pope calls for more efforts to stop Ebola in DR Congo
August 23, 2026
VATICAN CITY, Holy See (AFP) — Pope Leo XIV called on the international community Sunday to help contain the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct