Thursday 19 December 2024
Isoline Hazel Gray marks 100th birthday with celebration party
Photo credit: Kaywana Malcolm
by Carol Daley
Isoline Hazel Gray was born on Friday, December 19, 1924, to Keturah Clarke and Isaac Gray in Shrewsbury, Logwood, Jamaica. She was the fifth child for her mother and the second for her father. Isaac had two sons and two daughters: Vernal and Isoline with Keturah, and Thomas (who did not survive infancy) and Coralee, affectionately called “Aunty Sul,” with Princess Gallimore.
Keturah had nine children, three of whom did not survive infancy. Isoline’s maternal siblings are Vernal (known as Nardo), Beatrice (Aunt Jo), Bernice, Tassy, and Cislyn. While all her siblings have since passed, Aunt Icy remains proud of her numerous nieces and nephews.
At a young age, her mother left her with a cousin to seek a better life. Upon hearing of her location, her paternal grandmother brought her home to live with her. There, she grew up alongside her brother Vernal (Nardo) and other cousins.
School Life
She attended the Petersfield Public School which was later changed to Petersfield Elementary School. There the 3 Rs were taught. Reading wRiting and arithmetic along with Domestic Science and woodwork. As in those days Mama attended when she was not needed at home. She wasn’t able to complete school as she had to care for her then ailing father.
Career
Early on, Isoline became indispensable to her grandmother, helping with household duties and later caring for her when her health declined.
Despite limited formal education, Isoline was industrious and ambitious, determined to provide for her family. One of her first jobs outside the home was cleaning the public works offices. She later worked in Portland but eventually returned to Petersfield due to homesickness.
Upon her return, Isoline embarked on a diverse range of income-generating activities. She made and sold coconut drops, grater cakes, patties, puddings, and other treats outside Petersfield Primary School during the week. On Fridays, she cleaned and sold the “fifth quarter” (tripe, cow skin, etc.) from her cousin’s butcher shop. Saturdays were market days in Montego Bay, where she sold breadfruit and seasonal fruits
Eventually, she secured a job with the primary school canteen and there she worked for 15 years before migrating to Canada. In 1986, Isoline migrated to Canada to join her son Neville and his family. In Canada, she worked under the name “Rose,” taking on off-the-books jobs in Toronto. After obtaining her permanent residency, she secured employment cleaning office buildings in Ottawa.
Children
At the age of 20, Isoline began her family with the birth of her first child, AnnaLee. She went on to have six more children: Laurice (Cherry), Neville (Rawbo), Wilbert, Cheryl, Edward (Bobby), and Lisa (Paulette). Of her seven children, six are still living. Her family has grown to include 26 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren—and still counting!
Legacy and Personality
Isoline is known for her big heart and generosity. At any given time, her home has been a haven for family members, family of her partners , friends, and acquaintances in need. She has always been willing to lend a helping hand. I am one of the many who benefited from her generosity, living with her for the first three years of my life—thus claiming the title of favorite grandchild (with a wink and a smile).
Some adjectives I’d used to describe my grandmother are
◦ I. Industrious – very good at doing whatever to provide for her family.
◦ S. Supportive
◦ O. Open-hearted caring and kind. Willing to help in whichever way she can
◦ L. Loyal and loving. Her friendships were lifelong. I’m sure everyone knows her bestie Ms Mac
◦ I. Indulgent
◦ N. Nurturing
◦ E. Encouraging
Mama we love you !! Happy happy birthday and I pray God bless you with good health and take away all your aches and pains.