Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

My dears, she is, without a doubt, the reigning empress of continental style. Her parties are simply the hottest social events there are. Personally, reticent when it comes to celebrating her own triumphs and successes, she suffers from no such compunctions when it comes to celebrating her children and grandchildren. She will confess that apart from her husband, they are the apples of her eye, and the crowning jewels of her fabulous life.

She is the matriarch of the illustrious Hussey family, Ruth Hussey. She is a class act in any language and by any measure.

Dedicated to family

There is love and there is love and then there is Laurie Hussey and his wife, Ruth. Some 50-plus years ago, young businessman Laurie Hussey met the love of his life, Ruth Campbell, and the sparks that were ignited are still burning. The union has produced five children and seen them carving out an empire that straddles the sport of kings, farming, a pharmacy chain, fashion, vast real estate holding and expanding holdings in the hotel and hospitality sector.

Above all else, the Husseys are dedicated to their family. And on the birthday of their second daughter, the lovely Angeline Hussey Harris, the proud parents decided on throwing a birthday party to celebrate her 40-something 'coming-of-age' party! Nobody throws a party like Ruth Hussey and on this night she threw one that will be remembered for its style, elegance and sheer fabulousness! Hosted in the El Dorado suite of the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, the party was to die for!

'Celebration of Disco'

Oh my word, what a night! Dears, the theme for the event, was a 'Celebration of Disco', with the dress code being black or white. The already snazzy suite was transformed by the talented Anne Marie Wiese into a simply inviting and enchanting disco. It featured black and white decor including the dance floor and what a thing of beauty it all was! Guests were dressed to thrill, and then some, all mindful of the theme and sticking to it.

There were two premium bars, one offering up nothing but some fab martinis, the other had the very best high-end liquors. And then there was the champagne station! Pumpkins, Moet Chandon was the choice, chilled to perfection and served in flutes. It simply rained bubbly all night! And to complement the champagne, there were some divine jumbo shrimp encrusted in a mouth-watering batter of coconut and bread that was memorable to touch and taste. It proved a dieter's worse nightmare.

And that was just for starters as, think, rack of lamb with mint relish and jelly, jerked pork on skewers with chutney dip, filet mignon on skewers with Béarnaise and tri-colour, peppercorn and blue cheese sauce, boneless chicken in mild Thai coconut sauce, focaccia bread, petit fours and the absolute killer, chocolate mousse in shot glass.

The dance floor was not just for show either. The master selectors Wayne Armond and Richard McDonald served up some absolutely fab music that had guests taking to the dance floor as swans on their favourite lake. They were led by the hosts, with their son-in-law, Anthony Harris, and his wife, the birthday girl, Angeline. It was pure magic as they danced to such all-time favourites as Dancing Queen, Ring My Bell, Night Fever, MacArthur Park and a slew of goodies that made everyone in attendance find their dancing shoes and party to the hot rhythms!

Among the notables spotted were siblings style maven Michelle Hussey, and companion, David Banmiller, in from Ireland; distinguished jockey Charles Hussey; Percy Hussey and wife, Eleanor; Andrew Hussey and wife, Suzie; uncles Outram Hussey, and art collector extraordinaire Wallace Campbell; aunt, the elegant Valerie Marzouca; John Marzouca; Liz McAdam; Samuel Getz and companion, Donna Robinson; Matthew Marzouca and his companion, Patricia Besio; Abdulla and Helga Marzouca; Dr Richard Gomes and wife, Dr Carolyn Gomes; Mario and Fiona Machado; Peter Wong and wife, Peta-Gay MacMillan; Xavier and Roma Chin; Gary Scott and the lovely Phillipa Epstein; the oh-so-gorgeous Sophia Max Brown; Mark Berry and his gorgeously stunning wife, Jenny Berry; Mark and Karen Myers; Gary Gregg and the fab Jodi Summerbell; Gregory and Michelle Mayne; James and Jackie Lechler; Daryl and Anne-Marie Vaz; Ardelle Dalla Costa; Nari Williams-Singh and his fabulous fiancée, Tricia Thompson; Phillip and Melanie Schwapp; Andrew Warner and his companion - personal trainer, Nadine Prendergast; Dale and Henrietta DeLisser; Andrew and Paulette Harris; Pierre Goubault and Arnella Chin; Bruce Baylis and Susan Burke; Michael Fisher; Simone Chin; Lionel Bailey and Suzie Ammar; Gordon Craige; and Carten Elier-Boom and Marjon Dehan in from Holland, plus a number of others.

Now, if we can only get the Husseys to keep the El Dorado Suite as a disco/night spot, Kingston would definitely be the better for it!