Tue | Apr 7, 2026

Farewell Yvonne!

Published:Sunday | August 8, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Scotiabank President Bruce Bowen and wife Suzan (left) with the woman of the hour, Yvonne Gittens-Joseph. - Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Prime Minister Bruce Golding and departing Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Yvonne Gittens-Joseph toast to the continued friendship between both countries. - Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
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The sign at the front of the room said 'Farewell and Thanks', words reserved for one hard-working woman.

Departing Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Yvonne Gittens-Joseph threw a little send-off of her own on Thursday, July 29 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

So integral has the high commissioner been to Jamaica that Prime Minister Bruce Golding made sure to put in an appearance. He quipped that he'll be placing a call to Trinidadian counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessar to raise the retirement age to facilitate a longer stay for the diplomat. He lauded Gittens-Joseph on her steadfast work in strengthening the ties between the CARICOM giants, and for staying true to her country while being committed to Jamaica.

Walk good

Gittens-Joseph praised her staff and the officials at the foreign affairs ministry for making her job easier and expressed hope in the success of future relations of both country.

And then, copying the words of former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (who was in attendance), she said, "I will return" three times, before signing off with "until then, walk good".

Guests out included former Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall; House Speaker Delroy Chuck; National Security Minister Dwight Nelson; Chief Justice Zaila McCalla and husband William; Arnold and Patricia Foote; Bruce and Suzan Bowen; Ruby Martin; Drs Hopeton and Leith Dunn; Tony and Yvonne Ray; Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin and wife Tessa; Morin and Verla Seymour; Milton and Christopher Samuda; Mike and Peggy Fennell; Sir Roy Augier; Professor Verene Shepherd; Dr Simon Clarke; Marcel Robinson; Sonia Rickards and Jacqui Nielssen.