The following are excerpts of a tribute in memory of Mrs. Clover Dennis-Irving of Ingleside, Mandeville, delivered by Horace Smyle. A thanksgiving service for her life was head on Tuesday, May 1, at New Beulah Moravian Church and Broadleaf Moravian Church. Interment was at Broadleaf Moravian Church Cemetery.
ON BEHALF of the Smyle family I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Clover Dennis-Irving, affectionately known as "Cousin Clover". Growing up in the Broadleaf community, there were some individuals who stood out among the rest as the best. Cousin Clover was one of those persons who stood out, not only because of her stature, her strong voice but also for the leadership skills that she had exhibited in the school, the church and the community at large. This was manifested at an early age.
As a figure of authority she was always there to lend support and advice to the younger ones on any problems or decisions they had to make. She participated in all the activities that were planned by the church and the school and motivated others to do likewise. She was a dedicated church member and a devoted member of the then very-vibrant choir.
As a family member she was one of our favourite cousins. In fact her daughter Edlin has also achieved this status thereby continuing the tradition. Cousin Clover showed us kindness, compassion and love, and we always craved her companionship, though she was not our contemporary. As the years went by we left the Broadleaf community to pursue different goals in different arenas. We nonetheless kept in contact. The number of years she spent in England did not diminish the warmth and friendship.
On her return with her husband to reside in Jamaica, we shared many happy times with her family, reminiscing about years past -- that some of us would call the good old days. She was very supportive to us in the time of our bereavement on the death of our mother, and made sure that in true family solidarity she was present at the Service of Thanksgiving. She did express her desire to be at the recent memorial and dedication service of our late parents and I verily believe that but for her ill-health that would have been so.
Although her time back in Jamaica was brief, it was very fulfilling. She was able to accomplish some of her lifelong ambitions such as coming back to live in Jamaica on her retirement, having a home in Mandeville close to her beloved Broadleaf and being surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.
Not many people have been this fortunate to accomplish most of their goals in life. Cousin Clover has been truly blessed. We were also blessed to have known her. Her indomitable spirit will always be with us as a shining beacon of inspiration and positivity.
