Check out Lady Bustamante's posture: She is accompanied by press secretary Noel Heron (left) and her husband, Sir Alexander Bustamante, behind.
'She never hesitated to help. At times, she received letters from persons thanking her for helping them and she often she could not remember who they were or how she had helped.' - Seragh Lakasingh
Hobbies
The caregivers said Lady B loved gardening, especially exotic fruit trees such as lychee, passion fruit and citrus. She also planted coffee in Irish Town. She loved to sew and tend her flowers and loved to entertain but she was not fond of cooking.
Today, the nation will say its final farewell to Lady B. She has earned the love and respect of the nation and will go down in history as a true patriot and a great lady. Her memory will live on through the lives she was able touch and inspired though her various contributions as a fund-raiser, mother, caregiver, friend and trade union activist.
So, how do they feel to have contributed to the life of someone so important to Jamaica?
The relationship and times they have spent with Lady B have left them feeling proud to have been part of the life of one of the island's stalwarts. The memories will last a lifetime. It is comforting even as they talked about choosing blue (one of her two favourite colours, the other is pink) for her burial.
barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com
A special chups and a toast for Sir Alex on his birthday.
From left: Rev E.J. Coolsingh, Nehru Coolsingh, Myrtle Coolsingh, Evelyn Sangster-Barnes, Lady Bustamante and Effie Lakasingh, on the latter's wedding day shortly before she departed for her honeymoon.
The Bustamante Hospital for Children was named in honour of the late Sir Alexander Bustamante and Lady B often visited the children there. Lady B was naturally at ease with children although she had none of her own.
God-daughter Evelyn Sangster-Barnes has many cherished memories of her beloved Aunt G, known to others as Lady Bustamante. An excellent dressmaker in her day, Lady B made her godchild's first wedding dress and many fabulous dresses with matching handbags for her to wear to work every day.
The fashionista Lady Bustamante is escorted to an official function.