Beautiful Memories; a Legacy of Faith, Love, Care and Values
Maxine Cooper’s Tribute to Betty Ann Blaine
Psalms 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints". Truly she was Your Servant, the daughter of your maidservant; and thank you Jesus for having loosed her from her pain. Thank you Jesus for the years you have loaned Betty Ann to us.
I consider it a privilege and honour to have known my friend and ‘partner in crime’, Betty Ann, who I met over 40 years ago, shortly after she returned to Jamaica, She was head of the Fundraising Department at VOUCH. We instantly connected...that love and friendship grew over the years and I liken it to that of David and Jonathan in the Bible. Betty Ann was my friend, mentor, boss, motivator, and advocate.
Betty Ann was charismatic, God-fearing, genuine, loyal, gifted, caring, bold, fearless, passionate...an extraordinary, remarkable and special human being. Her indomitable spirit and humour was contagious. She was selfless; always put the interest and well-being of others first.
Throughout my journey Betty Ann was there for me, a tower of strength and support. No matter what the problem or issue was, she was always positive and her mantra: "It's going to work out Max, we're going to find a way; Pappa Jesus is going to come through". Being around Betty Ann made me and others feel special and valued...comfortable, relaxed and included. Her ability to encourage, along with her smile and laughter always brightened up my day.
An A+ Mother
Betty Ann was an A+ mother, always finding time to pick up the girls and their friends, dropping them off at their various activities and returning for them. It was really funny when she said she was going to slap them...she would pick up her bed slipper and they would scurry off...needless to say the slipper never connected.
I remember when I went into labour with my first child, Athena (her God-daughter) it was Betty Ann I called first – and of course she named her. When I got married she was there and when the other children Emmanuel and Eliora came along she was there. Her home was our second home, she always said, “You are family!”. On our daily visits to her, the first words out of her mouth were, "Max, are you hungry? There is food, make sure the children eat". Betty Ann was an entrepreneur and an excellent cook, she made the most delicious and mouthwatering meals and desserts. It was no surprise that her restaurant, the Fish Place was a 5****.
She loved Jamaican cuisine...curried goat chopped up fine, jerk chicken done until it’s dark, steamed and escovietch fish, chicken foot, oxtail and beans, yellow yam and cassava. Not to talk bout di bread pudding, fruit cake and june plum juice. "Bwoy, Max this tastes so good, sweet bad...belly full but wi nah left none, mek we just mop up wey left!".
A Passionate Nation-Builder
Betty Ann was passionate, a nation-builder, an advocate; hated injustice and was always fighting for the vulnerable, especially the children and elderly. Her dedication and commitment to the children of Jamaica was remarkable and second to none. The Founder of the mentoring organization Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and of Hear The Children's Cry, Jamaica's leading child advocacy organization, she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children and youth. She advocated on their behalf, travelling across the island to schools to talk and motivate, and also creating programmes which aided and impacted their lives in a meaningful way.
Betty Ann considered these trips mini vacations, and we had fun driving daily across the island to various schools, singing, giving jokes and stopping at the various food stops to eat roast yam and salt fish, roasted sweet potato, sweet potato pudding, red peas soup, beef patties, corn and coconut water . It is my hope that Betty Ann's passion, love and dedication to the children and youth of Jamaica will motivate and inspire others to step-up and continue her work and legacy.
Betty Ann loved a good joke and she always said, "Max you can’t give a good joke unless it's in patwa". I found it really funny when BettyAnn made a decisión to do something then did the opposite, she would burst in laughter and say " Max, mind mek fi change".
She loved track and field, and it brought her such joy and happiness to watch the athletes participating at the various games and championships, both locally and internationally. She declared, “Max, ‘Wi little but wi tallawah’ – dem can't beat wi!". Playing Kaluki and scrabble were fun times for Betty and it was super special for her as for the most part – she would always win.
Caring, Compassionate, Kind, Generous
Betty Ann was caring, compassionate, kind and generous. She would go out of her way to assist someone in need. Betty Ann always found a way; she got things done. These qualities are second to none as many of us can testify, having been recipients of her kindness ,care and generosity.
We have lost an icon, a philanthropist, but I will take comfort that she is with Jesus Christ. I will hold on to and remember the beautiful memories, and carry on the legacy of faith, love, care, kindness and values she leaves behind.
Betty Ann, my sister, friend and ‘partner in crime’, you have left an indelible mark on my life and I am grateful to Jesus for loaning you to us. And although you are not here in body, your memory and spirit will live on in my heart.
Betty Ann, my dear friend, I miss you dearly. Rest in peace.
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