It was no coincidence that the verses of Proverbs 31:10-31 were read four times at the recent thanksgiving service for the life of Veda DuCasse at the Portmore Holiness Christian Church on the Hellshire main road in St Catherine.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (New International Version)

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

“She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hands, she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honour her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Veda DuCasse made her transition on June 18, 2017. Her vibrant way of life was embraced by a cohort clad in cheerful colours an hour before the service.

Tributes flowed from family, friends, community members and colleagues from the Bank of Nova Scotia where she gave over 30 years of service.

But as if that wasn’t enough, joy filled the church when Bishop Alvin Bailey started the sermon with soulful renditions such as Light up my Life by LeAnn Rimes, Through the Years by Kenny Rogers, and One in a Million by Larry Graham.

As the melody echoed throughout the sanctuary, the grief that lingered on the Bishop’s face suddenly disappeared as he erupted with laughter.

Three days prior to her thanksgiving service would have been her 31st wedding anniversary with Alvin ‘Bob’ DuCasse.

The eulogy was delivered by Sharon Daley, close friend and godmother of her daughter.

The mother of two and alumna of Dinthill Technical High School in St Catherine was eulogised as a God-fearing, no-nonsense family woman who loved plants.

“Everyone who came in contact with her knew that they could touch anything that belonged to her except her plants,” sister-in-law Dawn DuCasse said during her tribute. Veda DuCasse is survived by children Reynaldo and Renée DuCasse, husband Alvin, father Gladstone Harris, sisters, brothers, friends and relatives.

She was interred at the Dovecot Memorial Park.