Louise Fay Allison Harding

Louise Fay Allison Harding (née Jerry)

Louise Harding’s blossom faded on June 1, 2018, at home surrounded by her family; she was born on December 4, 1935, the only child of Ivy Allen Reid and Kenneth Oswald Jerry of Button Springs, Hanover, Jamaica.

Louise was raised by her maternal grandmother, Mahalia Allen, a widow turned coconut oil distiller, and merchant; and an avid gardener. From her, she learned self-reliance, fierce independence, fiscal conservatism, a deep abiding love for nature, and the meditative qualities of gardening.

Louise attended Middlesex All-Age and Secondary schools. Upon graduation, she moved to Lucea, Hanover. Her first job was at Bails Clothing Company, a local haberdasher. She developed a reputation for her great fashion sense and her no-nonsense approach to life. Soon after moving her oldest daughter, Gwendolyn, was born; four years later she gave birth to Authereen and then Monique. While living in Lucea, Louise met and ultimately married Dennis Harding with whom she had a son, Dennis (Junior.) In the early 1970’s she went to work as a seamstress for The Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Hanover.

Wherever she lived, if there was soil, she would be found digging in it, planting life, her motto “Create beauty wherever you are, plant something, nurture it, and watch it grow.”  In the evenings, she would hone her gardening skills; entering the parish flower show yearly, often placing or winning for her exotic and rare fragrant orchids or Hibiscus.

In the fall of 1979, she immigrated with her children to the United States.  A short while later, she secured employment at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital where she worked as a Dietary Aide, creating specialized meals for 25 years. She retired from Spaulding to care for her ailing mother. After her mother’s passing, she returned to work for Kit Clark Senior Care as a Site Coordinator for five years before retiring.

Throughout her life she dedicated her time to her family, her garden, and her faith. She became a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, and was an active in the women’s group and the hospitality committee.

Her brothers, Kingsley and Karl Jerry and her sister, Demercardo Jerry, precede Louise in death. She is survived by her children Gwendolyn, Authereen, Monique and Dennis, her grandchildren Nicole, Nicholas, Xavier, and Braylon; her great-grandchildren, Nyasia, Destiny, Bree, Phenix (AJ) and Oswald; She is survived by her sisters, Minieve Stewart and Marjorie Morgan, and her brothers, Kensingh, Kasnel and Desmond Jerry; as well as countless cousins, and other our family.

Louise’s presence will be sorely missed by her extended family and a host of friends.  She leaves behind her light, her love and her flower garden.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Wesley United Methodist Church, 1076 Washington Street, Dorchester, Saturday, June 16 at 10:00 AM.  Family and friends invited.  Visitation in the church beginning at 9:00 AM.  Interment Forest Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the National Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/involved/donate/memorial-giving or St. Jude Children’s Research, www.stjude.org/donate.