For more than three decades, Yvonne Blake served as a cook in the Denham Town High canteen, but her impact was felt across the school community and even beyond the school’s gates. This was evident on Thursday as members of the institution’s academic and ancillary staff paid tribute to Blake who went off on retirement after 34 years.

At a farewell ceremony held at the school, Principal Yvette-Richards Thompson described Blake as a hard worker who loved her job.

“Mrs Yvonne Blake has served the institution faithfully for 34 years. She is a hard worker, punctual, and has one of the best attendance records in the school. She loves what she does, mentors, guides, and is just an amazing person. While it is sad to see her go, we have to appreciate the contribution she has made to the development of the school,” Thompson said.

Novette Christian, the school’s vice-principal, with tears trickling down her face, expressed that it was a bittersweet occasion for her due to the close bond she shared with Blake.

“For me, it’s a bittersweet moment. If nobody in here has my back, I know Miss Yvonne does. The love, the compassion, the grace – I have experienced both the good times and the bad times. We were almost here at the same time, she might be a year ahead, but when I came here, I remember distinctly that she and Miss Collins were in the canteen. So, Miss Collins, Miss Yvonne, and Miss Tatsy (who was Miss Thompson, the principal’s office person), those three ladies had an impact on my life and who I am today at Denham Town High School,” Christian shared.

She further mentioned that Blake’s support extended beyond the walls of the institution to her family.

“Miss Yvonne, I am a little sad, not because of what you have done for me, but because of my two children. When I came here, I already had one. When I was here, I got pregnant with the last one, Roxanne. Even today, she calls her Auntie Yvonne. That’s how I was mentored by Miss Yvonne,” Christian shared.

“I remember the days when I was sick on this compound. Miss Yvonne would always take over the phone and call my son. In November of 2014, when I was sick, Miss Yvonne was there. You know, I held a prayer on that phone with Miss Yvonne. She wrote to me. She said, as vice principal, you’re not doing this right. Yes, ma’am, she wrote to me. But it is in love. I don’t know if the remainder of my tenure here will be the same without Miss Yvonne,” the vice-principal continued. “Some of us will spend a lifetime, and some of us won’t. But for the 33 years that I’ve spent with Miss Yvonne, I can say without any apology that nobody here has my back and loves me the way Miss Yvonne does.”

She added that she hopes to make a similar impact on the lives of others, just as Blake did for her.

“I am so grateful. I wish that the legacy of love, compassion, commitment, and caring that you have poured into my life will also be passed on when my time comes, so that someone will be able to say
thank you because you have given me that push. I want to say thank you,” Christian added.

Meanwhile, Christopher Chin, a member of the school’s ancillary staff, also expressed gratitude to Blake for her guidance and honesty.

“Miss Yvonne, you’ve guided me many times. I’m not telling a lie. I love it. I love when people encourage me. I love when people tell me the truth. I am a disciplined person, and if I do wrong, I want you to tell me. A so me stay. Miss Yvonne, you are a lovely person, and I love you very much,” Chin said.

Reflecting on her more than three decades at Denham Town High School, the 63-year-old Blake shared that she is proud to be the longest-serving ancillary staff member of the institution.

“Every morning, sometimes at 5 o’clock, I am here. You can come get a cup of water. The water is on the fire boiling. The pot is on the fire cooking, and everything starts out. I’m so proud of myself and everybody around. We have ups and downs, but everybody around us shows love,” she said. “As we say, we have ups and downs, but it was good. I love it. I love the kitchen. I really do.”

During her retirement, Blake hopes to strengthen her relationship with God while offering her service to others through counselling and evangelism.

“I’m going to get myself active and get closer to my God. God, that’s what matters. We are living in end times now, and I feel we need to get closer to Him. That is my determination. Not to run down the world, but to get closer to the Lord. That’s my priority right now, and I counsel as much as I can. I like that part, you know. I’m a member of the evangelism team,” she said.