Dr Joyce Robinson hailed as the ultimate manager
VETERAN educator and communications expert Dr Joyce Robinson was laid to rest on Friday, and if her relatives were grieving her passing their grief manifested in laughter and spirited reflections during her funeral service at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Chapel in Mona.
In the early part of the service the opening hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness, and the song To God Be The Glory, effortlessly delivered by the talented Karen Smith, set a sombre tone as well-wishers bid farewell to Robinson.
But when Robinson’s sister, Carolyn Allen, and her son, Anthony, took to the podium, the congregation found something to laugh about. And the laughter lifted her loved ones’ spirits.
“In 1947, Daddy got sick with heart problems. His brother, who was also a doctor, told him to come to Kingston to get treatment. Joyce didn’t know Mama was going to Kingston with Daddy,” said Allen, in a tribute to her sister. “And so they left Joyce to manage the school, the boarders, 100 acres with cows, horses, pigs, goats, workmen, and four unruly children,” she said, the congregation’s laughter growing as Allen listed the responsibilities.
“The first morning after Mama left the chief helper sent a message to say to us that she had gone to church the night before and that she had gotten into spirit and she would not be able to come until she got out of the spirit,” continued Allen. “She (Joyce) told them if she [nurse] was not out of the spirit in an hour she had no job… In 15 minutes she was at work,” she said.
“Joyce was only 21 years old. Daddy died not long after,” said Allen, restoring a sense of seriousness as she spoke of Joyce’s ability to secure full-time employment. She said she spent most of her holiday with her sister, and enjoyed every minute of it. She also remembered one occasion on which Joyce addressed the United Nations during a conference overseas.
“Can you imagine how boasty I was?” asked Allen, the congregation breaking into a round of laughter in response. “I wished Daddy was there; oh how proud he would have been of her. You have made us very proud, Joyce. We have to manage without you, the absolute manager. “Anthony, Ann, Richard, Andrea, Rory, Keith; I want you to know there is a new sheriff in town,” she said to more laughter. “I want to thank God for sharing her life with us and fond memories will always be cherished. Goodbye, Joyce, we love you,” she concluded.
Robinson’s son, Anthony, who read her remembrance, recalled a good woman, volunteer, teacher, Jamaican, mother and grandmother.
“What are the characteristics of a good woman? She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness. Industry,” he said. “Mom lived to develop people, those who worked closely with her, and those who benefited from her work… You did not want to be around when she started a project at home because you would be pulled into it, regardless of what your other plans may have been, and if necessary, all night.”
“And as she pushed you to your limit she would feed you, so you could do even more work,” he said, sparking more laughter.
Earlier in the service, tributes were offered by Paul Lalor, chairman of the Jamaica Library Service; Winsome Hudson of the National Library of Jamaica; Lascelles Lewis, former chairman of the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy; Moses Peart, chairman of the Human Employment and Resources Training at HEART Trust/NTA and Sandra Shirley, president of the Soroptimist International of Jamaica. Minister Peter Phillips on behalf of an absent Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller read the first lesson. Andrew Holness, leader of the opposition Jamaica Labour Party, read the second lesson. Former Prime Minister of Jamaica Edward Seaga and his wife also attended the service.
Dr Joyce Robinson was the first Jamaican head of the Jamaica Library Service and was well respected for leading the national literacy campaign in the 1970s, which resulted in approximately 200,000 Jamaicans learning to read and write.
Her work earned her an international literacy prize from the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Joyce Robinson was interred at the St Andrew Parish Church.