RememberingDameSheila

from FOGS Magazine 2023

Scholarships – In Memory of Beryl Levi

On January 20, 2023, our family experienced the immense loss of our matriarch, Dame Sheila Rose Valerie Weatherly, fondly known as “Mama”. Born the daughter of John and Elfreda Simpson, she has traversed the world and left her mark.Thoughithasbeenadifficulttime,thecelebrationof her life has bestowed upon us a renewed sense of faith, love, and family. She lived her 89 years of life to their maximum potential. Her dedication to her church, family, education,andcareerremainsaninspirationtous.

Dame Sheila was a devoted member of the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and choir member, she dedicated her life to the Diocese of Montego Bay. She was a faithful servant and this is seen in her dedication to the Good Shepherd Foundation and Food for the Poor. Her spiritual journeyisatestamenttohercommitmentandunwavering love for God. Her service was rewarded by the Church with a Papal award in 2005. She received the title DAME of the OrderofSt.GregorytheGreatbyPopeJohnPaul,II.

Sheila always had a passion for education. She attended the Montego Bay High School for Girls in 1948 followed by theBethlehemTeachersCollege.Sheheldherfirstteaching job in the Cayman Islands, which she spoke very fondly of. In1971shegraduatedwithherBSc.inAppliedSocialStudies from the University of the West Indies. Mount Alvernia Prep & Kindergarten School was her pride and joy where she served as Chairman of the Board for many years. She was deeplyinvestedinthesuccessofthestudents.

Mama was commissioned as a Justice of the Peace of St. James on February 27, 1987. She becameapillarinhercommunityofParadise Acres,MontegoBay.

Her confidence, vigor, independence, and strength are attributes that we will always admireandaspiretoembody.Shehasleftan indelible mark on our lives and hearts. Our love transcends time and space…till we meet again.

Submitted by Dr. Ambriel Weatherly (granddaughter)

DearFriendsofGoodShepherd,

I am truly thankful for the scholarship towards my tuition, allowing me the opportunity to pursue my course of study at Bethlehem Moravian College in Manchester, Jamaica. I am in my 4th year of Computer Science (B.Ed.) and have attained thePrincipal'sHonourRoll. IwillgraduateattheendofJune 2023. I plan to take a government job in September to continue tocontributetothegrowthanddevelopmentofeducation.