HUNDREDS made use of the relaxed COVID-19 measures to bid farewell to St Ann community stalwart Andrea Rose Marie “Ann” Smith last Thursday at Bethany Baptist Church, near Alexandria.

The former Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Company employee was described by all speakers alike as a kind, loving, caring, humble, genuine, and compassionate individual who did her all to benefit whomever was in need.

The last of 10 children for her now-deceased parents, Smith was eulogised by sister Odette Smith Williams as “a gem who touched and enriched our lives in so many ways.

“Andrea’s dedication and compassion is unmatched as she decided to be that person who puts her life on hold to stay home and take care of her parents. Over the years Andrea has been the one who filled that gap when all the other siblings were away. She took on such an exceptional role to make sure that the day-to-day needs of our parents were taken care of — from preparing their meals to doctors’ visits. This she did until they passed.

“Her faith was stronger than the rest of us as siblings put together. A magnificent person, she would encourage you instead [of] you encouraging her. Yes, that’s what she would normally do, and as a result it was hard for anyone to know what Andrea was feeling inside.

“She was a people person — whether with family, friends or congregants in her church — always greeting you with a beautiful smile. She was so selfless; full of positivity; displaying a great spirit, a fighting spirit, one [about] which sometimes everyone would be taken aback in awe. A person who carries herself with pride, always well put together. Her presence will light up any room as she speaks positivity into you. She would always tell you she is doing great even when she is not. She never let her illness become a burden,” Smith Williams said.

Tributes were also rendered by Bethany Baptist Church Deacon Deloris Campbell, Althia Duvigneaud, Barbara McDonald, Lorna Miller, and son Shaquille Mills. Brother Clinton Morgan gave the remembrance, while officiating Minister Andrew Gordon delivered the homily.

Smith, a Brown’s Town Secondary, and Brown’s Town Community College graduate, died on March 7 at age 52, following a more than decade-long fight with cancer. Her remains were interred at the family plot, Watt Town.

So revered was the Watt Town community stalwart, who did volunteer work in neighbouring Bethany, Alexandria, and Brown’s Town, that several hours after the burial, scores gathered at her former home revelling in the celebration of her life.