ROSE HALL, St James – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has hailed the late Rhoda Metilla Dennis, “for giving us such a great son”, in the person of Cabinet member, Dr Horace Chang.

“Though I did not have the pleasure of knowing Rhonda, I feel that I know that I can stand here and pay tribute to her by virtue of knowing her son Horace,” said Holness.

“On behalf of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), family and Cabinet, the Government of which Horace plays a critical as Minister of National Security and as JLP general secretary, I pay tribute to his mother for giving us such a great son. And, I am sure you will all join me in that tribute.”

Holness, and several government ministers and parliamentarians were among hundreds of mourners who turned out recently at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, to pay their final respect to Dennis.

The retired nurse and returning resident from the United Kingdom passed away in June, after being diagnosed with an inoperable cancer about two months before her death.

She was 90 years old.

Dennis was born on November 29, 1928 to Cornelius and Lilian Palmer on a small farm at Glenburnie on the border of St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. She attended the New Roads All-Age School in Westmoreland.

Following the birth of her first son, Horace, she migrated to England, and later graduated as a nurse. After retirement, Dennis returned to Jamaica and lived in Coral Gardens, until the time of her death.

In delivering the eulogy, a grief-stricken Dr Chang, who is also Member of Parliament for St James North Western, said his mother wanted to be laid to rest in Jamaica and beside her beloved husband George at Hill View Memorial Park in the hills of St sJames.

“We give thanks that there was little pain, and she retained her dignity and gentle demeanour to the very end,” added Dr Chang.

Her grandchildren Dane, Melissa, Martin, James, Nathan, and Dominique in their tributes, expressed their love and appreciation for their late grandmother.

The thanksgiving service was moderated by Pastor of the Emmanuel Chapel in Mount Salem, St James, Marc Mullings, while the sermon was delivered by Pastor Kesla Forbes of the Pitfour Gospel Chapel, also in St James.

Pastor Forbes said Dennis will be greatly missed.

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett and Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, who were both absent, sent video messages, which spoke about the tremendous legacy Dennis has left behind.