Vertella Dehaney's Obituary
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Eulogy for Vertella Victoria Dehaney nee McFarlane
Is there beyond the silent night an endless day?
Is death a door that leads to light?
We cannot say
The tongueless secret locked in fate
We cannot know; We watch and wait
Vertella, the second child of her parents, James McFarlane and Lovena Kerr, was born on May 17, 1936, in Ashton, Westmoreland, Jamaica. Her mother died when she was four years old, causing her to go live with her father, stepmother, and two older sisters in Darliston, Westmorland.
She received her formal education at the Beaufort and Anfield all-age school, where she succeeded in her Second and Third Jamaica Local Examinations.
She left Darliston to live with an older sister in Montego Bay, Jamaica. There, she got saved on March 31s and was baptized on April 21s, 1957, under the preaching and leadership of the late Rev. H.G. Kelly, pastor of the New Testament Church of God at Water Lane, Montego Bay. She remained serving the Lord until she was called home.
She entered the nursing profession and was trained at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital School of Midwifery. Following this, she later entered the University Hospital School of Nursing in St Andrew, Jamaica, where she received her general nursing training. A few years later, she entered the University of the West Indies for education training.
She worked with the Westmoreland Parish Council for over four years as a District Midwife and later as a registered nurse at the Savanna-la-mar Public General Hospital. Her final assignment in Jamaica was as an instructor at the Cornwall Regional Hospital School of Midwifery until 1985, when she emigrated to the United States.
In New York, she worked as a registered nurse at Brookdale University Hospital and Maimonides Hospital and as a nursing supervisor at Marcus Garvey and Ruby Weston Nursing Homes. She furthered her studies at St. Joseph's College and received a Bachelor's degree in public health, as well as a Master's degree from Central Michigan University.
At the New Testament Church of God, she will be remembered for her dedicated service in the Sunday School Department, where she taught beginners and primary classes for many years. She also served as a clerk for five years. At Premier, she will be remembered for her participation in Sunday School and the encouragement she gave to others in the addresses she wrote to the church members. She was faithful in her tithes and offerings.
Looking at Sis Dehaney, you would think she was someone who was withdrawn and not very sociable because of her quiet demure but getting to know her; you realize that she had a host of friends whom she kept in touch with by telephone, cards, and letters. She remembered birthdays and other special occasions. Anything or anyone important you wanted to remember, whether in the family, friends or church, profession, training days, general knowledge that you can't remember, call on her, and you will be updated. She was like a walking encyclopedia.
She served the churches she was attached to with excellent high standards, complete integrity, and boundless enthusiasm for whatever task she took in hand. She had a deep knowledge of the Bible and never hesitated to expound, interpret, and explain scripture to us. Oh, those Sundays in Sunday School would not be the same if we did not hear her voice. Even when ill health caused her to migrate to Florida, she remained connected online.
She is survived by her son, Wayne, her daughter-in-law, Seleana, her Grandchildren, Salima and Christina; her great-granddaughter, Grace; her nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Vertella?
What’s a lesson you learned from Vertella?
Share a story where Vertella's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Vertella you’ll never forget.
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