MANY ATTORNEYS AMONG MOURNERS
Attorney Jennifer Hobson Hector has been remembered as generous, widely respected, a devout Christian and one who gave freely of her expertise in law. The description of her character came during a service of thanksgiving at the Brown’s Town Methodist Church where she had her membership from a child, although later in life she attended Hoolebury Methodist, also in the parish.
Mrs Hobson Hector died March 21 after ailing for some time. She was 73.
Representatives of institutions, organizations, and individuals paid tribute to her for her integrity, community service, her dedication to law and commitment to justice in nearly 50 years at the bar. Among those paying tribute were: York Castle High School, represented by Principal Raymon Treasure; Northern Jamaica Bar Association, represented by senior counsel and President Pearline Bailey; The Soroptimist of Northern Jamaica, represented by President Janet Tayor, and The Dispute Resolution Foundation, represented by her long-time friend, Eunice Thomas.
Mr Treasure spoke of her decades of service at York Castle High marked by her strong legal advice balanced by her passion for individual rights.
Ms Bailey said Mrs Hector had been an exemplary well-respected attorney and had served the Northern Bar well.
Also paying tribute was friend and fellow Soroptimist Kahadine Brown who spoke about their
personal friendships that included travel and Mrs Hector’s mentorship.
Miss Thomas spoke of Mrs Hector establishing a DRF office in Ocho Rios and said “She believed passionately in the peace process.”
Omar Mustafa, her cousin spoke of her wit and kindness and dedication to family.
The eulogy was delivered by lifelong friend Sandra Touzalin Butler. She recounted decades of association starting with primary school and their lives intertwining through the years. She too spoke of Mrs Hector’s kindness and the pain she, Mrs Touzalain-Butler felt and the lessons learnt in the last days of Mrs Hector’s illness.
The sermon was delivered by Bishop Everald Galbraith who was assisted by Bishop Christine Gooden Bengueche and Rev Athlone Harrison. Member of Parliament, and also a member of the Methodist church, attorney Marsha Smith gave the only solo on the programme. Her colleague MP, Krystal Lee was also among the guests. Attorneys and members of the legal fraternity were well-represented at the funeral service which packed the church and overflowed to the church hall.
A section of the mourners
Interment was at the Brown’s Town cemetery.
Mrs Hector leaves to mourn daughter Stephanie, Sister Valerie, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
