A tribute to the late Angella Harvey

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Angella Harvey, the dynamic and dependable former cultural affairs specialist in the US Embassy in St Andrew, who for 30 years while working under several US ambassadors to Jamaica exercised tremendous skill and hard work in cementing US-Jamaica relations through culture and education, was easily one of the sweetest souls that ever lived.

Here was someone who was distinguished by a nameless gift of attraction, head and shoulders above the crowd; and it is the memory of this personal magnetism, even more than the work her destiny permitted her to fulfil, that adds strength to the roots of her ever-growing fame. Because of her humanitarian eminence, hundreds of us who were touched by it deplore the tragedy of her family and her own sad and untimely death on April 7.

As I have said elsewhere, all of Jamaica should be proud of this purpose-driven trailblazer, who opened doors to leadership for countless Jamaicans by her excellent administration of the various educational and professional exchange and cultural programmes offered by the US State Department. Countless beneficiaries of the US-Fulbright Fellowship Programme either became her friend or admired her greatly.

This quintessential administrator was equally admired for her eager sympathy, simplicity, passionate honour and honesty. On both a personal and professional level, Angella Harvey stood out because she stood for decency, honest dealing, plain talk, and, might I say, humorous stories. Her regard for other people's feelings was unique in my experience. I don't believe it was because she was afraid of hurting them, and certainly had nothing to do with gaining in anyone's estimation. It was simply that her soul rejoiced when she could say yes and it meant something to what someone else believed in.

She never attempted to win anyone to her way of thinking far less to try to prove anyone mistaken or in the wrong. I wish we could all be so, for maybe then we would not have to hurt one another just to keep our ego-chins above water.

Though we are reminded by her death of the terrible shortness and sweetness of human opportunity, we may still learn from such a life as Angella's that a precious use can be made of brief days, and that the courage of loving stoicism is proof against despair.

To her family, she gave her heart and the best of her brave life through the stresses and mischances of our difficult and adventurous world. She was the maker of a free, kindly and hospitable home, and her family knew her faults. But that same family and circle of close friends alike also knew of her redeeming value of affection without restraint.

I offer my fullest and tenderest sympathy to her family, friends and her colleagues at the US Embassy. Her legacy to us all is the value of possessing a humane heart towards all people. So she was, so she died, so she shall be remembered for all time!

I am, etc.,

EVERTON PRYCE

epryce9@gmail.com