IN THE summer just ended, the six DaCosta sisters of Kingston and the United Kingston, aged 77 and down, took the north coast en masse, enjoying a three-week holiday which included shopping, beach bumming, eating their favourite foods and visits to the synagogue.
Norma Haddad, one of only three sisters who reside here, said it was a momentous time for them.
It was the first time in 50 years that the sisters, three of whom live in Bolton, Blackpool and Wales in the U.K., were all together at once.
The 'girls' as they call themselves, are children of Alexander and Iris DaCosta, housewife and gas station owner of Kingston who have both passed on.
Talking
For Barbara, Norma, Yola, Verna, Greta and Helena, much of the holiday was spent talking about their parents who, Norma says, would have been so happy to see them together.
Their childhood was very happy.
"Dad was a big joker, he made fun of everything. Even though we weren't wealthy, we were happy.
"Our Mom looked after us girls and our father ran the gas station at Sutton street, where Alexander Bustamante took gas and from time to time gave us a shilling or tuppence," Norma recalls with a smile.
Norma's son, Captain Brian Haddad, who works with Air Jamaica, was only too happy to bring his mother and aunts together by facilitating their flight.
The sisters all stayed at Norma's home in Kingston and also spent three nights at Silver Sands resort and three nights at Breezes.
"We had a lovely time," Norma told Outlook.
The 'girls' also had barbecues and a flutter of other activities which made the time passed in a flash. Favourites on the breakfast menu every day included rundown, ackee and saltfish and other dishes which three of the sisters missed having while abroad.
The Jewish family also went to synagogue on the Sabbath.
Barbara, who celebrated 50 years of marriage to Daniel DaCosta before he died, is the mother of David and Debbie. Norma, who was also married to Badia Haddad and celebrated 50th anniversary three years ago before he passed at age 90, is the mother of Brian, Geoffrey, Jennifer (Nugent) and Beverley (Braham).
Married with twins
Yola is the mother of only child Marian, who is married with twins.
Verna, who was married to Ray Marshall is the mother of Carl. Greta is married to Englishman Albert Bell and resides in Blackpool. They have two daughters designer Gillian who was recently married and lives in Hong Kong, and Allison, who still lives at home.
Helena, the only sister who is not retired, is married to Ronnie Haddad and has one son Alexander.
Some sadness was felt when the reunion was over. Norma says "We were all together and we don't think we will ever be again."
But, she comments, "It was a nice break. We went to plays, we shopped, we went to synagogue... we did everything that could be done in three weeks."
- Outlook Team
