By Suzette Smith, Gleaner WriterIN A very peaceful manner, Isabella Robinson made her transition from this life on the Wednesday afternoon of October 8, 2003.
After suffering from hypertension and asthma especially in the latter part of her 79-years, her family has mixed reactions to her death. On the one hand, sadness is felt at her loss and on the other a sense of relief that she is no longer suffering.
"She slept off in bed very peacefully. We are happy that she has left her sickness, especially in her last days where it was getting worst," her nephew, Walter Cobban said.
AUNT GAY
Aunt Gay, as she was popularly known, was the last of seven children for her mother Alberta Francis. From her childhood, she was perhaps called Gay because of her lively temperament and the name stuck with her throughout her lifetime. She was born on Christmas Day, December 25 1923 in St. Andrew. She was a pupil of St. Johns Elementary School.
Afterward she specialised in farming on a ten-acre property in Spring Gardens. Her field yielded mostly cassava, gungo peas, sweet potato and cow peas. These produce were sold at the Constant Spring market. "I can remember when the green gungos were not sold, she would dry them and bag them and we had to go to the gully bank to beat the dry pods, fan them out and collect the grains," Mr. Cobban said in a reminiscent voice.
QUIET AND SOFT-SPOKEN
She had one daughter, Muriel Polo and being the loving mother that she was she adopted two other children, Shernette and Magnalin. She also had five grandchildren. She loved children very much and whenever a child was hurting she always reached out to such a one. Quiet and soft-spoken, she made her presence felt by her actions rather than her words.
"She was a lady like this. She did not talk much but she was jovial and could fit in anywhere." said Mr. Cobban. When she was able to work she would do so with a fervent devotion and she made sure that the home was well kept.
She loved her nephew very much. She constantly asked for him and if anyone asked her for something that she did not have or know about she would always refer that person to her nephew. "I was her favourite. I can remember when there was talk that I was leaving the island. She nearly died. I had to tell her that I wasn't leaving and everyday I had to check on her." Mr. Cobban said.
She was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church and her thanksgiving service will be held there on Saturday October 25 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery.
