Old Harbour boy loses leukemia battle

He was diagnosed with the blood cancer disease in 2017 but succumbed late last night in hospital

The Jose Marti Technical student rose to local and to some extent national prominence late last year following a series of corporate and civic goodwill to aid his fight.

Lieutenant Governor for Optimist International Caribbean District Zone Seven Notoya Williams, who last year led a team of fellow Optimists in donating towards Jowayne’s cause, said: “It was with great shock and dismay that I received the news tonight of the passing of Jowayne Blackwood.

“Jowayne was dear to our hearts. Whilst we were well aware of the severity of his illness, he was so upbeat that we never thought we would lose him now. In spite of our sadness we cannot help but feel happy that we contributed to Jowayne's happiness when we were able to fulfill his wishes with gifts that he requested of us last Christmas.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to Jowayne's parents and other relatives and to his classmates and friends at his alma mater, Jose Marti High School in St. Catharine.”
Jowayne was a devout Christian mature beyond his years, said Pastor Steve Moncrieffe of Grace Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church. He said Jowayne’s death has sent shockwaves throughout the church and the community at large.

“We are really taking it hard. One particular child is taking it very hard, the child cried right through the night,” said Pastor Moncrieffe who has been head of the Christian assembly for the past 16 years.

“It is a loss to us and indeed a loss to our assembly and to the young people. I don’t think at this moment they are handling it well.”

A statement posted on the Jose Marti Technical High School Facebook page said of the eighth grader: “We regret to inform you that our Student Jowayne Blackwood of 8(2) passed away tonight at the Spanish Town Hospital. Please bear the family and the school community in your prayers as we grapple with this loss.”

Jowayne’s funeral would arguably be its biggest memorial service, Pastor Moncrieffe noted, but mourners are likely to be denied the right to collectively pay their final respect because of the imposition of strict social distancing measures by the government to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.