By Petulia Clarke, Staff Reporter
Creary
THERE IS a plaque at Norma Creary's home in Port Maria which reads:
'Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man'.
It speaks aptly of the woman whose house is always open to her community, whether for fund-raising activities, functions, meetings or just for social occasions.
Mrs. Creary, the 2002 Governor-General's Achievement Awardee for St. Mary has hosted heads of state and Government, civic leaders, senior members of the judiciary and other important persons in her home - being a committed volunteer in her community.
The yearly Achievement Awards are given to persons from humble backgrounds who rise to make contributions in their communities. They must not have received another national award and must be involved in community activities.
Mrs. Creary is an only child whose mother, Florence McFarquhar, raised her in tough circumstances. She was born at Lewis Store, St. Mary, in 1930 and her father Hewton King, died when she was five years old. Her mother worked at several housekeeping jobs to ensure her child attended school regularly.
She grew up in Clonmel, St. Mary, and attended the Clonmel Primary School.
She initially chose teaching as a career and, after pursuing several courses in education, became a teacher at her alma mater, Clonmel Primary. Later she moved to Rosend Primary School where she stayed for six years.
Mrs. Creary later developed an interest in the hospitality industry and accepted a job at the Tower Isle Hotel in 1957 where she worked as an executive housekeeper for six years. She was later a national insurance inspector with the Government up to 1976.
In that year, she was sent to the National Family Planning Board where she was trained then appointed a family planning education officer, serving the entire parish of St. Mary. It was here that she encountered firsthand other people's worries and became more involved in various areas of community life.
She underwent further training, leading to her appointment as health educator in the Ministry of Health, a post which she left with high commendations from management and staff for her leadership skills.
Her high level of leadership skills and commitment to community development led to her being called on to serve "sometimes at the executive level" a long list of organisations in her community.
Among the organisations from which she has received praise, certificates and awards are the Jamaica Tourist Board; The Port Maria Comprehensive High School; National Council for the Aged; The Jamaica Constabulary Force, St. Mary Division; The St. Mary Parish Council and both Kiwanis Clubs in the area. She was the Charter President of the Port Maria Kiwanis Club which she served with distinction and is still a member. She has been serving as a Justice of the Peace since 1986.
Mrs. Creary is a widow and a mother of three sons, Michael, Don and Richard.
She is a Baptist.
