MONTEGO BAY, St James – A memorial service will be held at the Altamont West Hotel in Montego Bay on Saturday to celebrate the life of US philanthropist Billie Rees West, who contributed millions of dollars’ worth of medical supplies and equipment to the Cornwall Regional Hospital and the Westhaven Children’s Home, both in St James, over the past 20 years.

West, 79, passed away three months ago at her home in Richmond, Virginia, after a lengthy illness.

After many visits to Jamaica, West founded the Children’s Medical Services, International (CMSI) to promote children’s health through an interchange of medical goods and volunteers of all types across the island of Jamaica.

But it was in the parish of St James where most of her efforts, and the work of CMSI, were concentrated.

“Mrs West was an extraordinary human being who gave consistent dedicated service to the people of western Jamaica for over 20 years. Her philanthropic work will forever be remembered with gratitude,” said a doctor at Cornwall Regional Hospital.

Two years ago, then Minister of Health Rudyard Spencer lauded West for her invaluable contribution to health care in Jamaica during a luncheon in honour of West and the CMSI, at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.