I give thanks to Vincent Ho Sang, Sabrina, and the children for the opportunity to pay tribute to Jeanette — the wife, the mother, the friend, the sister to all members of her prestigious Chinese Jamaican family who brought a piece of Jamaican baking and patties to the whole wide world.

Jeanette and Vincent, two Jamaican Chinese — met in the Bronx at a party in 1969. They got married in 1977. Damian was born in 1977, and Sabrina came into the world 1n 1979. Later on Simone and Brian were born.

They love each other dearly and took care of the children and each other with a passionate love. Vincent and Jeanette were not born to work under others. They had a great confidence in themselves and each other and in their belief in the simple gifts of life and the talents given to them by God. They gave thanks to God for being Jamaican and were convinced that everything Jamaican was unusual and the best. They instinctively felt that Jamaicans have both the best and unusual taste of food.

In the Ho-Sang’s house there was always the smell of food, the aroma of Jamaican food, hot and spicy food always being eaten by 15 or 20 people. Friends, neighbours, and relatives enjoyed the cooking. Jeanette and Vincent built up a natural clientèle.

Vincent brought forth patties and coco bread and started Caribbean Food Delights, it became internationally known because of their great hospitality. Together, Jeanette and Vincent furnished the patties with the soft and spicy meat and delicate crust. Both worked at it and made it perfect. Both are perfectionists.

Caribbean Food Delights’ products now rival the American and European hamburgers and hot dogs.

In her firm and quite determined way Jeanette worked with her husband, but she was also creative and individualistic. She created bread pudding, cornmeal pudding, coconut cake, black pudding, and bulla cake. She was different and had to be different. A true Jamaican, a true Chinese, stubborn in getting things done in her way, in a new way.

When Jeanette cooked she had a certain taste to achieve, and she insisted on doing what had to be done to achieve that taste. Thus she micromanaged the process. What a woman!

Vincent, of course, has a strong personality. He let Jeanette be the loving and strong-willed mother and creative personality that she was. Vincent wanted his children to be disciplined, studious, hard-working, and responsible. While he spanked the children, Jeanette consolidated the discipline with her love.

She always had the children around her, took them shopping, sometimes for the whole day. This did not prevent her from being a good wife to her husband. Vincent treated her gently as a gentleman, he never stopped providing for her, placing a jacket around her and being beside her as a husband to his wife. They loved God, they loved each other, and they loved their children. They gave generously to their Jamaican people and to God’s people.

Jeanette died at 6:38 am on August 30. Today is her burial. God bless you, Jeanette. Wipe away your tears, especially you children and Vincent. Indeed, behind every great man there is a great woman. She is now with Brian, her son who died in 2008. God bless you all, you children, Vincent, and friends.