Halet Bonner

Halet Amanda Bonner was born on May 21st, 1929 at Lewisburg Hospital in the Parish of Saint Mary, Jamaica, to Virginia and Alexander Duncan. She attended Brainerd Primary School until her teenage years, achieving good grades in English, Math, and Arithmetic. Home Economics would also have been a part of her study program which would stand her in good stead for the future. And it did. 1943: Halet Amanda Duncan met Hubert Alexander Bonner. After courting for a couple of years, they decided to tie the knot. They were married in December 1946, and two children were born in quick succession: Francess aka Wootsie and Irvin aka Woody. This year would have been their 77th Wedding Anniversary, if Hubert had not predeceased Halet April 13th, 1990. Mass migration to Britain from the Caribbean was driven by the need for workers to rebuild England after the Second World War. Halet was one such person. Saying goodbye and leaving her 2 children in JA must have been very hard, but she straightened her shoulders and emigrated to England to join her husband. It wasn’t easy for her there, but she made the best of what she got etc. Halet had 5 more children while she lived and worked in England. Cleave, Dellorine, Noel, Joan and me; Susan the wash belly! She worked as a Nurses Assistant in order to support her family, and was always there for us. At times Halet was so tired, she’d fall asleep with the cup of tea in her hand and when she woke up she’d say ‘Thank you Jesus’, with a smile on her face. My Mom……! In 1974, Halet and family returned home to St. Mary, Jamaica. Things were so different to what she had expected and she worried for us kids. But we all mucked in, especially when we were building our house: Halet keeping workmen, helpers, and us kids fed and watered. Even while the building works was going on, I remember no matter how hot it was in Jamaica on Saturdays the soup pot would be bubbling away on the wood fire. Halet would be stirring this big pot while I added my funny little dumplings. What a dinner that was. Good times! Not only was Halet an homemaker but she enjoyed several crafts: Needlepoint, sewing, embroidery, designing but to name a few. This is where the skills that she learned at school came into play. When funds were tight dresses were made without patterns, clothes hemmed and stitched by hand. Socks darned, curtains made and gathered nicely at the windows. When my Mom knocked up a school uniform for us kids, it was ‘da bomb!’ Full sets including bras too. And nobody looked better than us! My Mom was so Versatile. It was funny when my peers would ask ‘ah weh yuh get yuh uniform from Suzan?’ It nice eeh! In 1982, Halet immigrated to America. She had a love of caring for others especially children. She became a child sitter and enjoyed what she did. Halet made a lot of friends, and was loved by all who was in her company. Halet’s autumn years found her enjoying the facilities of the Sunshine Senior Centre. The friendliness of her peers and the fact that she could get to the Centre, brought her a lot of satisfaction. She loved going to church and gospel music was her favorite kind. She enjoyed dancing to her reggae music and boy could she sing. Its 41 years this year since Halet landed in America, and she never forgot her roots. When she couldn’t recall certain things (the effects of dementia) she remembered most of the Jamaican National Pledge and then there are the quotes: de olda de moon, de brighter it shines; Fiyah deh a muss muss tail, in tink a cool breeze; Yuh cyaan ketch Quaku, yuh ketch im shut. Half the time I didn’t know what the saying mean, but I knew I’d better take heed. Words of wisdom I’ll try to remember. We will never forget you Mom and we’ll all miss You, but it’s time for you to go, until we meet again. You have Fought a good fight, You have Finished the race, You have kept the Faith. 2 Timothy 4v7. Gone but will never be forgotten. Sleep well! Or Rest in Peace! Halet leaves to cherish her memories, her: Children: Dellorine Bonner in England. Francess DeGale in England. Susan Bonner in the USA. Cleave Bonner in the USA. Joan in the USA. Grandchildren: Charles, Jacqueline and Michelle DeGale in England. Claudine and Andre Bonner in England. Suzie Bonner in the USA. Sherene Bonner in Jamaica. Shaielle Bonner in the USA. 1 Great Grandchildren: Marvin Blake in Jamaica Nathaniel JJ in the USA Michelle in England 2 She also leaves behind 4 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.

Halet Bonner

May 21, 1929 - November 28, 2023