DR Josette Lewis Smikle, late lecturer of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, was last Friday remembered as an outstanding leader during the three decades she served as an educator.

Dr Smikle died of cancer on March 13 at 59-years-old.

A thanksgiving service, celebrating her life, was held at the University Chapel.

In a written tribute Charmaine Gooden-Monteith, remembered Dr Smikle as a strong and faithful woman who was intriguing and inspiring.

“Statuesque, fashionable, unassuming, beautiful human being, well-earned outstanding scholar, and educator par excellence, intriguing and inspiring, caring, adorable, resilient,” were the adjectives Gooden-Monteith used to describe Dr Smikle.

“I remember our last conversation as I drove on the highway, as we discussed many topics including your surgery to be done on the fateful 13th March, 2013. Dr Josette Lewis Smikle, every neighbour’s dream neighbour, every mother’s dream daughter, every student’s dream teacher, and every child’s Aunty Josette,” she further elaborated.

Gooden-Monteith said Dr Smikle was also a fine example of humanity and a caring woman who silently blazed in every community and institution she was involved.

“We celebrate the life and the impact you had as you quietly blazed the trail and impacted the citizenry in your community. No more gummy bears for the children. No more books or Bible to read. No more motivational e-mails. Even during your illness, you remained positive and tried to cheer us on,” Gooden-Monteith said.

Andre Cunningham, Dr Smikle’s nephew, recalled her as a helpful, loving, caring, and kind individual who gave selflessly to others, especially her family members and relatives.

“My aunt is to me the most loving persons in this world, one of a kind, and one in a million. She has the biggest heart, with the most caring thoughts, which she shared with so many of us. Her soul is made of pure love, and, to me, is worth more than any silver or gold. In my eyes, she will always be the most admirable person to walk the earth,” Cunningham stated in his written tribute.

Christene Burnett-Constable, a member of 2012 Literacy Group of which Dr Smikle was a member, titled her tribute for the deceased ‘Lady Extraordinaire.’

“She is one of God’s finest creations. She possesses so many literacy solutions. She is very passionate about her job; even in ill health, to her classes she will trod. She was a humanitarian who fixed problems whenever she can. She was also a friend and confidante. Trust me, she possesses so much resilience,” Burnett-Constable stated.

Dr Smikle was born on September 4, 1953 to parents Sylvia and Eswell Lewis in Beacon, St Elizabeth. After graduating from St Elizabeth Technical High School, she enrolled in Mico Teachers’ College in 1976. She then taught at August Town Primary School before continuing her studies in 1984 at UWI Mona where she pursued a Bachelor of Education degree in English. She then went to Bethlehem Moravian Teachers’ College as an educator for nine years before being appointed deputy principal of the institution.

She received the World Council of Churches (WCC) scholarship to attend the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom where she pursued her Master of Education degree in educational studies. In 1992, she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

She leaves behind her husband, Iva; mother, Sylvia; stepdaughters, Marie and Nikki.

Her remains were interred at a family’s plot at Beacon district, St Elizabeth.