Rosley Isilda McFarlane

Rosley Isilda McFarlane (affectionately called Syl, Rosie, Aunt Syl, Miss Mac) was the youngest of eight siblings born to Merryn and Arthur Donaldson in Walderston, Jamaica. Like her siblings, she had a lifelong commitment to education, dedication to family, unwavering Christian Faith, and a passion for excellence. While her other sisters pursued careers in nursing, Rosley followed her sister Persis into a career in Education. She graduated from Bethlehem Teachers’ College and remained an active member of their Alumnae Association. She won a scholarship to attend Cornell University (one of the first women in Jamaica to receive it). Throughout her career Rosley taught all age groups. She taught at Central Branch Elementary School; was a Training Officer at Kingston and St Andrew Corporation; Training Coordinator at YMCA Bed-Try Brooklyn NY, and an Early Childhood teacher with NYC Board of Education. In later years, she even opened a home pre-school with her sister Persis in Florida. While she loved teaching, she was fiercely dedicated to her family and friends. She would do anything for them!! If you’ve heard of the 5 love languages, her strongest would be acts of service. She was always looking to do for others. It was therefore difficult for her to sit back and receive accolades. If her beloved husband George or her sisters needed her, she would drop everything to be at their side. (She even relocated to Florida in response to a request from her sister Persis.) She was a second mother/ grandmother to her nieces and nephews. We could always count on receiving advice, black cake for Christmas and recently she would ship mangos from the tree in her backyard to relatives in the Northeast. Rosley was just as dedicated to her spiritual and church families. Whether it was Church of the Ascension in Mona, JA, St. Mark’s in Brooklyn, NY or Church of the Atonement in Lauderdale Lakes, FL, she dove in headfirst to serve - including planning fundraisers and bus trips. At Church of the Atonement she served for years as Chaplain to the Episcopal Church Women and the Order of the Daughters of the King. After her sister Persis passed, God provided her additional spiritual “family members” through Donna and her family/friends and Theresa & Fitz and their family to support Rosley, as her capabilities began to slow down. They even took her on vacations with their families, including trips to Jamaica, Orlando and Caribbean Cruises. Since her nieces and nephews did not live close by, we were comforted to know others were there to ensure Aunt Syl “did not miss a beat!” Similar to her sisters, Rosley never discussed her age. We now understand they did not want that number to be a limiting factor. We were blessed last August when she allowed family and friends to join her to celebrate her 100th birthday on Zoom calls! During the virtual celebrations, her friend Joyce mentioned Aunt Syl’s encouragement ”… Continue to improve yourself and to learn. Don’t just sit back and accept things, do something!” Rosley I. McFarlane went on to her eternal life on January 25, 2021. She leaves behind many friends, cousins, nieces and nephews including Derryck, Robin, Jennifer, Clayton, Evan, Nichola, Richard, Chandra, Colleen, Marilyn, Dave and Andrea. As we celebrate her life, we thank God for her many vibrant, action-packed years and the positive impact she had on us. In her honor, we will keep reading… keep traveling … keep politically active … and keep striving for excellence! May she REST IN PEACE.

Rosley Isilda McFarlane

August 23, 1920 - January 25, 2021