MOURNERS from near and far overflowed the St Cyprian’s Anglican Church on Thursday, May 28, to bid farewell to Lil-Luna Alexandra Gordon, a stalwart retired postal worker, Justice of the Peace, senior churchwoman and horticulturalist.

Eulogised by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Lloyd Foga as “a nice person who greeted everyone with a smile at all times and a friend to all and an enemy to no one,” Lil Gordon, who died aged 78, was well known in the town of Highgate, St Mary, and its environs as one who always reached out to others with a caring heart.

“Lil was fully involved in her community and beyond. She was a member of this church (St Cyprian’s) for many years and played an active role in its organisations. She was a member of the church committee and held the post of People’s Warden up to the time of her death. She was also secretary to the Women’s Auxiliary and the leading chorister. Her melodious voice will be hard to replace,” Fogo related.

“She was a Justice of the Peace for many years, a member of the Lay Magistrate’s Association, St Mary Chapter, and served as its President for three years. During her tenure the chapter grew in prominence and was recognised by the national body.

“Her husband Jervis is a member of the Masonic fraternity. She and Mrs Vicki Ramgolam accompanied their husbands to all the meetings throughout Jamaica. Because it’s a male organisation and Lil had such a high profile among the brethren, she was dubbed “Bro Lil”. A void will certainly be left at Lodge Caledonian by the passing of “Bro Lil” Foga said.

Family friend Enid Campbell described Gordon as the “head cook and bottle washer for St Cyprian’s and the Horticultural Society.

“Lil was committed, dedicated to the church, warm and friendly. She is almost irreplaceable,” Campbell said.

Retired Anglican Bishop of Jamaica, Rt Rev Alfred Reid lauded Gordon’s commitment to the community and the parish.

“It is hard to imagine St Cyprian’s Church without Lil Gordon. There is a certain quality of life in people who love music and flowers,” he said of the deceased.

Bishop Reid also urged those in attendance to examine themselves, with a view to improving their lives.

“Too many of us are drifting along with no sense of urgency, no sense of identity. It is amazing how many intellectual people behave as if they are here forever,” Bishop Reid said.

Retired Custos of St Mary, AA “Bobby” Pottinger lauded Gordon as an “infectious optimist” who always saw the glass as half full.

“There are some of us today who still remember going to the post office and a smiling Lil Luna would hand us the envelopes containing our monthly utility bills, somehow her cheerful presence would always make us forget the pain that was sure to come when we opened them,” Pottinger said.

Originally from Ivy Store, Clarendon, the Clarendon College past student worked as telegraph clerk, postmistress, regional inspector and building supervisor in her 41 of commitment to the postal service.

She leaves behind husband Jervis, whom she married 56 years ago in 1958, and daughter Celia, who is based in Maryland, USA.

Gordon also served as a member of WARR an acronym for Women At Real Risk — an organisation that promotes breast cancer awareness.