Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Family members of the late Lady Bustamante came from Canada, New York and various parts of Jamaica to bid farewell to one of Jamaica's most beloved daughters yesterday.

And a fitting farewell it was inside the magnificent edifice of Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Old Hope Road, in St Andrew.

The altar and entryway bore masses of white orchids, rosebuds, anthuriums and lilies, perfectly arranged by internationally recognised florist Marigold Harding.

They arrived in various funeral shades - black and white to navy and lilac, from as early as 11 a.m. All wore a pink ribbon and were escorted to the reserved pews by protocol officers.

'The family'

Evelyn Sangster-Barnes, Lady B's god-daughter, told The Sunday Gleaner that 'the family' extended to members of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, the personal staff, medical team and others who had touched Lady B's life in a special way.

The coffin bearing the remains of Lady B was carried in perfect precision on the shoulders of 10 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force up the church steps and laid on the bier.

No easy task as beads of perspiration rolled down their cheeks on to their ceremonial clothing and left wet traces on the flag-draped coffin where their straining fingers had held it firm.

Subsequently, two different officers kept vigil at 30-minute intervals over the coffin.

As the sweltering heat bore down on the curious outside, chauffeurs of officials and members of the security forces, the hour-long interlude of music that preceded the service, gave way to tributes from heads of state, Bible readings and the homily.

The service that had run later than schedule, prevented one onlooker from taking the previously scheduled walk downtown. She remarked, "dem naw go again, an me put on me walking shoes!"

Lady Bustamante was then taken to her final resting place beside 'The Chief' at National Heroes Park in Kingston.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com