E-mail from Earl Jack to Cheryl King.
A big thank you for all the help you gave in informing the villagers of Mother's 100th birthday. The celebrations were well attended and your part was greatly appreciated.
I am in the process of trying to get some pictures uploaded.
On her birthday (11th) the Governor General and the news media came by in the morning, and in the evening (5 to 8) there was an open house which at times felt more like a villagers reunion; many 'villagers' Ray, Hugh, Hally, Hughes, Selwyn, the Toneys, Robert Young, Bob Breton, Sam and Sonja and Nicky from England, Carmen (and Patsy) Jack, the Scotts were just a few and so many others and a lot of well wishers were in attendance, and seeing so many friends and family made for a most gratifying day (few days actually); at times it was non stop traffic at the house.
Mother played the piano for Sir Freddie (Governor General) at the house and at the Church service she also played the keyboard.
On Sunday at St.Paul's in Calliaqua was the special dedication service, Fr. Sylvanus Regisford gave a very inspiring and appropriate sermon, with a packed church in attendance, followed by a performance at the parish hall.
Irma did a great job on the programs which were handed out at the church, many greetings were included in the programs and Mother thanks everyone for their kind words and prayers; and Elma also did a great job in organizing the program at the parish hall, which was also packed, and Dawn's catering service at both functions made the occasions so special. I am not even going to try to thank and include everyone who contributed because it would be impossible. Her god-daughter Nina Maloney's presence was felt everywhere, even getting the TV station to record the church service.
For me personally I wouldn't have missed the celebrations for the world, and seeing so many people and some former class mates that I hadn't seen in as many as 40 years was very rewarding.
Mother was showered with a lot of love, many visitors, many phone calls from Canada, USA, England and Barbados, and Trinidad, and as per her wish she didn't have to wait until she dies to get her flowers, there must have been at least 25 beautiful floral arrangements and I think 5 or 6 birthday cakes.
All in all it was it was a very memorable (and of course once in a lifetime) event, and with God's grace she will live to see some more.
So on behalf of the Jack family (Mother, Louise, Joan, Yvonne, F.I. and Sylvia) and I, I say thank you to everyone for making Mother's 100th birthday so special.
Note from Tony: I also sent my greetings. When I was there in 2005, she also played the piano for me.
