Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
PHOTO BY BARBARA ELLINGTON
Gwendolyn Dawes Wright at her 80th birthday party.
ON FEBRUARY 20, 1925 when Gwendolyn Dawes Wright was born, stories making Gleaner headlines included a report of King George V, stricken with an attack of influenza and a Canadian
steamer, Canadian Navigator had caught fire in the Bridgetown, Barbados harbour.
Fast forward to Sunday February 20, 2005 and the front page is dominated by news of a change of leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) even as the former leader proclaims his intent to boycott the
conference.
Meanwhile, at the Bloomfield Greathouse in Mandeville, Manchester, venue of a surprise 80th birthday party for Mrs. Wright, the distant vista shows huge clouds of smoke rising in the hills of St, Elizabeth where bush fires continue to rage for two weeks.
But guests were oblivious to these fires, as their sole purpose was to celebrate the birthday of their mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Mrs. Wright.
Looking perfectly pretty in a pink three-piece skirt suit with embroidered accents and topped with matching wide Surpered the beautifully decorated dining room accompanied by her sister Pearline Higgins.
To say she was surprised is an understatement. With hand over gaping mouth, she surveyed the room and gave each conspirator an admonishing look and, satisfied that all were present, she sat down.
SURPRISE!
It had been no easy task keeping the details from her, as Mrs. Wright had been asking from months prior to the event, if any of her nine children had plans for a party to mark her very significant milestone. She warned that she'd make her own if nothing was done. But the surprise was effective and the octogenarian sat basking in the glow of accolades heaped on her by speaker after speaker.
Her son, Arthur Nisbeth
performed the role of master of ceremonies, and gave all who wanted to pay tribute equal opportunity. To family, friends and community, Mrs. Wright was described as 'having no airs or facade, faithful, a dear sister, someone whose life was tough but who never gave up; always preparing nutritious meals for all; generous, tough, kind,
caring, concerned for others
and active church worker'.
Highlights of the celebration included a presentation of 34 roses, one from each grand and great grandchild. A Powerpoint presentation of pictorial highlights of Mrs. Wright's life and a poem by her son, Hosward Nisbeth about her famous cornmeal
porridge and fried dumplings.
