Verna Cynthia Young

Verna Cynthia Wills Boothe was born, March 31, 1929 and passed away on February 11, 2013. She was 83 years old. My dear,dear Mother was the fourth of six children born to Samuel Boothe (Farmer) and Vera Gertrude Boothe (Post Mistress) of Milk River, Clarendon, Jamaica. Their children were named Thelma, Humphrey, Dennis, Verna Gloria and Daphney. To place into perspective, my mother's life, one has to understand the time and place in the history of the Jamaica in which she was born and spent her formative years. It was a Jamace which was still part of the British Empire and a country which, a mere 11 years earlier, was receiving some of the 10,000 of her native sons who were returning form World War 1. One of which was her Father, who had been sent to the front lines to fight in that war. At that time Jamaica was heavily dependent on an Agricultural Economy and had an underdeveloped Health Care System. Following an outbreak of Malaria in Milk River, she and her sisters were sent to live in Mile Gully, in Manchester, the Parish of her Mother's birth. They were sent there to escape this epidemic and her assighment was to look after her two younger sisters Gloria and Daphney. As my Aunt Gloria tells it, she was a tom-boy of sorts, loved to play net ball, but boy was she bossy. While living in Mile Gully she attended the Mile Gully Primary School and later went to the Caron Hall Vocational School to study nursing. During her final examinations of her first year at Caron Hall her father, Samuel Boothe, passed away. After high school she moved back to Milk River and started working at the Milk River Post Office where she was trained by her Mother. She continued a long and rewarding career in the Jamaican Postal Service until her retirement in 1999. In 1948, at age 21, she met Norton Roy Young and their union produced four Sons, Clayton, Warren, George and Norton, in that order. An intresting tit-bit about my parents is that they were born on the same day, of the same year and, as it turns out, only two hours apart. It must have been fate that brought about this union. My Mother survived my father by over 20 years. She was a devoter Mother to her four Sons and assumed the rold of Mother to many others, some of whom she hardly knew. I have my Mother to thank for all her unwavering support throughout my life and especially during my years as a young man starting out in life and going off to college in the USA. Verna is survived by her brother Dennis, Sisters Gloria and Daphney. Your are all on your own now-no more "bossy" Verna. Sons Clayton and his wife, Janet, Warren and partner Cynthia, George and his wife, Lavern and Norton, Grand Children, Kevin, Samantha, Jason, Roger, Jahnell, Renee, Amafeca, Janoy, Benjamin and Jihad. Great Grand Chlidren Philllip, Mia and Morgan. Neices, Nephews, Counsins, Aunt, In-laws and other relatives. Mom spent her last few months in the West Broward Rehabilitation and Nurshing Home where she was loved by all, both staff and other patients. She loved to dres-up for church on Sundays and also whenever the home provided special entertainment such the one-man-band. Despite many driving lessons givien by my Father, Mom never learned to drive. However, she had no problem manouvering her wheel- chair throught the hallways at the nursing home up to the time of her passing. I am eternally greatful to my Wife, Janet and Sister-In-Law, Cynthia for the care they gave to our beloved Verna and expecially for the beautifull menmories of having her hometo spend Christmas Day with our family and friends, which she enjoyed tremendously. I would also like to thank the Staff at the nursing home for making her final days happy ones.

Verna Cynthia Young

March 31, 1929 - February 11, 2013