101-year-old educator Mabel Grandison passes away

The 101-year-old Grandison, who is the first principal of Marlie Mount Primary School, died yesterday evening at her home in Colbeck, Old Harbour.

She spent 43 years as an educator before retiring in 1984.

In September 10, 1973 Grandison was placed at the helm of the newly constructed Marlie Mount Primary, after spending only one week as principal of Old Harbour Primary where she spent 30 years climbing through the ranks of junior teacher, senior teacher and vice principal.

The Shortwood Teachers’ College graduate entered the profession in 1941, doing short stints at Collington Primary near Frankfield, Clarendon and Old Harbour Bay Primary, before stamping her true class as one of Jamaica’s finest educators during three decades at Old Harbour Primary (formerly Ludford Trust School).

For many decades Grandison also served her community as a justice of the peace as well as through the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Darlington Drive, Old Harbour.

The cause of death is unknown at this time as the family is yet to comment on her passing.

A Facebook post from The Old Harbour Primary Alumni said: “Rest in perfect peace Mabel Grandison,” while Marlie Mount Primary and Infant shared “the MMPIS family mourns the passing of our first principal Mabel Grandison”.

Elsewhere on Facebook, Kenneth Fearon wrote “All of us from our town will miss this lady who have educate us in our early life. She was so, so sweet. May her soul Rest in Peace”.

Madge Davis penned: “One of my favorite teachers. Ms G rest in the arms of Jesus. Condolences to the family.”

And Colleen Wallace-Lindo added: “Walk good Ms G. You lived an exemplary life and you left an indelible mark on the lives of many.”

During her lifetime, the centenarian left a lasting impression on the lives of countless individuals, not least among them former Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

She was an active member of the powerful and highly respected teachers’ union, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), serving as District Association President for North West St Catherine, and executive member of the St Catherine Teachers’ Association. She was also a member of the JTA’s General Council.

Following her retirement from the classroom, Grandison was commissioned by the Lay Magistrates’ Association of Jamaica which recognised her work on many occasions for her sterling service particularly to the people of Old Harbour.

In 2016 Grandison was among “40 outstanding educators” across the country to receive the Prime Minister’s Medal for contributing significantly to the development of education in Jamaica. The following year she was placed among an elite group of nationals when the Order of Distinction (Rank of Officer) was bestowed upon her at the National Honours and Awards, the most prestigious ceremony recognizing the contribution of Jamaicans from all walks of life.

No doubt the legacy of Mabel Beryl Grandison will be talked about for as long as life last. Her ability to impact lives positively and transformed others was a skill that only few people possessed. Even to this day elders still talked about her immense influence on their life, while at Marlie Mount Primary her leadership acumen made it the institution of choice, certainly in the south west region of the parish by the time she retired.