The classy hangout spot, Fiction Lounge, was the ideal location for a send-off for a classy woman who has left her mark on advertising.

Yvonne Senior-Moore, former advertising manager of The Gleaner, was given a hearty (and at times very hilarious) farewell by her senior management colleagues and those she liaised with in the advertising world during her 15-year tenure. The accolades flowed as the awards The Gleaner's advertising team had racked up during her tenure. Those awards include 10 Advertising Agencies Association of Jamaica Media of the Year prizes (nine of them consecutively).

Ad bigwig Robert MacMillan literally begged to go first when it was time for the toasts. Saying she played many roles, from psychiatrist to executioner (only if necessary), he lauded her for serving with dignity. He kept referring to Syracuse and telling Senior-Moore that it would be cold up there. He also said he knew she would be coming back.

Where's the ad

"There's a place for you in my company, 'cause there's a place for you in my heart," he said. J.J. Foote, president of the AAAJ, joked that Senior-Moore's first words to him were "where's the ad?" He called her a close friend and commended how she had led her team efficiently. He was not alone in saying her successors had big shoes to fill. Jean Lowrie-Chin, managing director of PROComm, complimented the guest of honour for her even-tempered manner in the face of great stress and said she could be going to Washington, DC because she was our 'ambassador'.

The Gleaner's Managing Director Oliver Clarke chipped in by saying "The Gleaner has been really fortunate to have someone as beautiful and as talented as Yvonne." He promised that "we will do everything to maintain the high level." His deputy, Christopher Barnes, said he was in awe at the dedication and commitment to the company that 'Aunty Yvonne' possessed. He spoke of her commitment to excellence and said it had rub off on them all. That commitment was further shown as she handed him a memo that answered any questions people might have after her departure.

Senior-Moore said she was humbled by warm words and joined in the jokes by saying she hoped someone was recording them, so that there would be proof. She expressed appreciation for the feedback on her 'modest' achievements and said The Gleaner was the centre of her personal growth and development, She called it a great Jamaican institution that was historic, caring and patriotic and "an institution of immense integrity". She singled out a few people including the managing director and said she had learned much from those with whom she worked closely. She called them inspirations and assured they would not be far from her thoughts.

And with that it was bon voyage, adieu, goodbye, but guests weren't too keen on leaving the party early as they stuck around to lyme, enjoy hors d'oevres and bouncy music from the Fiction DJ.

Guests out included: Collin Bourne, Anthony O'Gilvie, Mavis Belasse, Lisa Johnston, Jason Lindo, Kay Osborne, Janet DeLisser, Carol McKenzie, Dr Carol Archer, Tony Scott, Oral McCook, Shena Stubbs, Terry McNeil, John Hudson, Burchell Gibson, Gregory Tomlinson, Jackson Chang, Terry Wilson, Grace Salmon, Coleen Brown-Jackson, Walter Campbell and Morin Seymour.

Osmond Brown has a warm hug and kiss for his former boss, Yvonne Senior-Moore. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Freelance Photographer

Human resource and administration manager at The Gleaner, Anthony O'Gilvie (left), greets Jean Lowrie-Chin, managing director of PROComm while Ian Roxburgh, The Gleaner's manager for special projects, joins in. - photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

From left: Janet DeLisser, Yvonne Senior-Moore and Nordia Craig cut the farewell cake.

Newton James (left) of Power 106 hangs out with two advertising luminaries, Oral McCook (centre) of OGM Integrated Communications and Jackson Chang of Jackson Advertising.

Yvonne Senior-Moore shares a laugh with Christopher Roberts.

From left: Winsome Baugh, Janice Clunis-Levy, Andrew Walters, Kerry Nolan, Janet Moulton and Everton King-Whyte, colleagues of outgoing advertising manager Yvonne Senior-Moore.

Andrew Walters says his words of farewell.

Seated from left: Allison Davis, Nicolette McLeary, Sandra Clue and Suzette Brown enjoy the bon voyage party. Behind them in glasses is Althea Gayle.