Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Wonder what's inside? Digicel CEO David Hall presents departing head of marketing Heather Shields with a gift at her farewell party held at the Devonshire, Devon House. Turns out they were a pair of fabulous diamond earrings. - Photos by Winston Sill /Freelance Photographer

Tears (and libations) flowed at the Devonshire last Friday as members of the Digicel family said au revoir to Heather Shields.

The soft-voiced Shields is moving on to another Jamaican business heavyweight - Scotiabank - but, like Digicel's Human Resources Manager Burnett Coke said, his company doesn't lose people, they just spread the DNA!

There were plenty of teary eyes, especially from the ladies, as the tributes came for her. There were a mixture of jokes and sad quotes as they sought to properly describe one of the faces of the organisation over the last few years. CEO David Hall spoke of the high regard which he held for her, and remarked that she was absolutely instrumental in the company's success. He lauded how she climbed through the Digicel ranks and said she was one of the most well-rounded business persons he had ever met.

"You're a treasure, you're amazing and thank you very much," he closed.

Woman of few words

A woman of relatively few words herself, Shields said that working at Digicel was one of the most incredible experiences anyone could ask for; one that happens once in a lifetime and could never be replicated. She confirmed that it was a difficult decision and the hardest thing she ever had to do. She left them laughing when she reminded them to invite her to all their parties!

Apart from the bouncy music from DJ Cuteye, the entertainment went to another level when A.J. Brown serenaded her with Could It Be I'm Falling In Love before doing some of his including the still popular When You Love and My Father, My Friend. The tears really came down when he performed Time To Say Goodbye; a song he said was specially requested by Shields.

Being engaged, Shields then got a pleasant shock when the ladies of Digicel threw an abridged bachelorette party. Perfect cue for the men to retreat to the bar and let the ladies have their fun!

Guests included Peter Prendergast, Simon Crosskill, Maurice Foster, Maurice Bryan, Marcia Bowen, Alicia Glasgow, Jean Lowrie-Chin, Erica James-King and Maurice Bryan.