VETERAN journalist, broadcaster, and cultural pioneer Alma Mockyen has boarded her ‘last train to San Fernando’, according to one of her final written notes to her friend Laurell Nurse, who honoured and remembered her legacy during a service of thanksgiving for her life last Friday.

Nurse, who was one of the speakers at the remembrance service held at the Sts Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in St Andrew, shared that Mockyen sent her a postcard and a golden ring emboldened by Topaz, the November birthstone.

The message, she said, detailed that Mockyen was on her final lap in the race of life and included a show of gratitude and well wishes for Nurse.

“There’s a song in Trinidad during their Carnival road marches, Last Train to San Fernando (by Johnny Duncan & His Bluegrass Boys); in my life’s journey I am on my last train to San Fernando,” read Nurse, who was sharing Mockyen’s words with the church.

Nurse, who is the founder of the Queens of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies, told the service that she met the cultural icon in 2024 when Mockyen was featured as the show’s final honoree.

She recalled that even at 95 years old, when she spoke with Mockyen as Tribute Queen — highlighting her as an impactful woman in the entertainment and media realm — the veteran journalist refused to be helped with day-to-day tasks, retaining her autonomy and vibrant personality.

“She was an incredible spirit. A beautiful spirit. A happy spirit. A very active spirit — and even when I tried to help her, she would still do it as if she was 25 years old. She would not be treated as an old lady, and I found that to be really interesting…she touched me with her attitudes,” said Nurse, evidently wistful.

During the presentation Nurse disclosed that Mockyen carried heavy thoughts of being forgotten, but was grateful for a final celebration to honour her legacy before she was gone.

“But before I go, I was truly privileged to meet a truly caring human being like you, and I thank you for having made me one of your cultural queens. Please accept this token of my gratitude,” read Nurse, detailing the rest of the message written in the postcard.

She lifted her finger bearing the gifted ring for all to see.

“This is the ring she gave me, because in talking we found out that we were both Scorpios [born in November]. And Scorpio people are very intense, and we love, so she said: ‘It is not costume jewellery, it is real gold with your birthstone, topaz. Wear it in memory of me,’ ” read Nurse.

In her last message to Mockyen, Nurse vowed to continue wearing the ring, bidding her a final goodbye as the last train to San Fernando, and beyond, left on Friday.

“She put her credentials at the end of this wonderful postcard that I’ll treasure forever. It’s kept right next to everything that my daughter has ever given me. It feels like she’s a mother to me also, and I will wear this ring every time I go somewhere special in remembrance of her…I could not miss this final farewell for such a wonderful human being,” said Nurse.

Meanwhile, delivering the main remembrance, long-time friend and colleague Tony Patel painted a vivid portrait of Mockyen’s 97 years of life, weaving together her handwritten reflections with anecdotes from a journey that mirrored the development of broadcasting in Jamaica.

He shared that even in her final months Mockyen remained mentally sharp, reflecting on her life and preparing notes for her own remembrance — a moment he described as deeply personal.

“Alma’s legacy is assured through the many students who benefited from her teaching over the years — several of them are here today — and also through her publications. At the end of this service her ashes will be placed in the nearby columbarium near to her sisters, Barbara and Edna. Rest well, Alma. We’ll buck up again someday, somehow, in the beyond,” he said.

Mockyen, who was born on November 15, 1928, passed away on December 31, 2025.

Sean Mockyen, son of the late Alma Mockyen, shows St Andrew East Rural Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives Juliet Holness some of the many plaques his mother received, which were on display at the thanksgiving service to celebrate her life on Friday. (Photos: Joseph Wellington)

Some of those who gathered at Sts Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in St Andrew last Friday to bid farewell to veteran broadcaster Alma Mockyen.

Tony Patel reads the remembrance at the thanksgiving service celebrating the life of Alma Mockyen last Friday.

Clyde McKenzie signs the condolence book last Friday at the thanksgiving service for the life of veteran broadcaster Alma Mockyen.

Director of the Caribbean School of Media and Communication Dr Patrick Prendergast (left) and respected broadcaster and actress Fae Ellington were among those who attended the thanksgiving service for the late Alma Mockyen at Sts Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in St Andrew last Friday.