Marlie Mount school community jolted by sudden passing of veteran educator

She was discovered dead at her Claremont Heights, Old Harbour home by coworkers who became concerned when she did not report to work the same day.

She had a heart condition, Old Harbour News understands.

The affable and forthright teacher has been employed at the Old Harbour institution since 1980 and was due to retire in December, drawing the curtains down on a career of almost four decades of dedicated service to the education sector.

She was 59 years old.

Many of her colleagues found it extremely difficult to function. On Thursday morning the Ministry of Education had to dispatch grief counselors to the school, as normal teaching understandably was put on hold temporarily. Those who discovered her body were left traumatized. For others, accepting that their mentor and defender has died is a process that has only just begun. A process that will take months, if not years to heal.

“It is really a difficult time for the Marlie Mount community which is shared, by extension, not just by those who are present but also by those who have retired and those she has taught over the years,” remarked school principal Calvin Harris.

Harris describes Lindsay as one of his most trusted lieutenants who was genuine and frank, and whose work saw her being promoted to grade two supervisor – a position she held up to the time of her untimely passing.

“She had excellent inter-personal skills. She provided the type of guidance, bring us into the culture… And she’s a no-nonsense person; that’s what I like about her,” Harris said of the characteristics that epitomizes Lindsay.

He added: “If she likes it she says she does. If she doesn’t like it she’s going to say that. She will be frank and not be rude which causes you to reflect and decide what was appropriate or inappropriate. She makes you a better person and I could depend on her genuineness as to making a decision on things that I might have said and done.”

Retired teacher Ena Hyatt, for more than 20 years worked alongside Lindsay. The news has left her in disbelief and “for a few seconds I was out”.

“Up to Sunday we had a Church service and we sat on the same bench,” Hyatt reflects in an interview with Old Harbour News. “She is a very, very nice teacher, somebody who you can relate to, somebody who is always sharing. She was a very effective teacher.”

Reacting to the news, president of the Marlie Mount Parent Teachers Association Alaphiah Byfield said: “The PTA expresses deepest condolences on the sudden passing of our beloved teacher Miss Lindsay. Goodbye is never easy. Pictures never carry warmth. Memories always pierce the heart and no words can say it all. May her daughter, school and personal family find comfort in this time of grieving.”

Lindsay and fellow experienced educator Flo Nelson was the eldest of teachers remaining at Marlie Mount, the latter recently retiring in August. And like almost everyone else they shared an excellent relationship forged over many, many years.

“It really shook me up because I remember in January I had just two terms left, I said to her ‘Lindsay mek me and you go off together nuh’. And she said ‘Nelson mi just have one term lef. Mi just a go do the one term and done’. She didn’t want to take any early retirement,” Nelson told Old Harbour News.

She was a devout Christian, Nelson noted and also a genuine people person. “Miss Lindsay is someone who loves the Lord. She loves God and she loves people. She will defend you, that is one thing about her,” Nelson said.

“She’s a mentor to the new teachers. If anything comes up about their performance in the classroom she’s one of them who will give them some advice and assure them and who show them how to deal with it. She will go to administration and speak on their behalf. That is Miss Lindsay.”

Last year Lindsay was among several teachers to be awarded the Jamaica Teacher’s Association torch award for long and dedicated service. She is listed to be among the honourees at the school’s annual Christmas awards. But sadly she won’t be present to accept a reward that she unquestionably deserves.

“We have lost a stalwart and a distinguished educator,” Harris said.