Tributes
Leona Minto Strouse - 7/1/1960-6/13/2021
The Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council expresses heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Leona Minto Strouse - newspaper editor, photographer and distinguished member of the community who died suddenly on June 13th, 2021.
Leona was a founding member and integral part of the LB-C Heritage Council and we are grateful for the time that God, and her family, loaned her to us. She was always able to sense and sort out situations, our ‘Fixer-in-Chief’- and we will miss her quiet voice, sense of humor and calming personality.
She was not only a community leader and advocate, but also promoted and supported mentorship to both youth and seniors. Leona was actively involved in the church, participated with outreach programs and served as a weekly host to the Asian Caribbean Exchange Radio Talk Show. Leona impacted the lives of those who knew her locally, and internationally and was well-known throughout the diasporic community as a photographer, philanthropist and editor of the Miami Gardens Observer.
Leona was Vice President of the Minto Family Foundation Corporation, to which the LB-C Heritage Council will contribute, in her name.
She leaves behind, sons Andre and Lance and numerous family members, to mourn their loss.
Miss Leona, you will be greatly missed. Well done thou good and faithful servant. Rest in Peace and walk good with Miss Lou, Maas Ran, Maas Easton, Maas Ewart, Mother Claudette Minto and all the other good duppy dem.
REV. FR. EASTON H. LEE (1931-2021)
The Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council, expresses sincere condolences to the family of the Rev. Fr. Easton Lee, CD - distinguished author, theatre director, broadcaster, actor, and public relations consultant, who died on January 18th in Florida, after a short illness. He was 89 and leaves behind, Jean, his wife of 70 years, 2 sons, 2 daughters. 8 grand-children and 5 great–grandchildren.
Easton Lee was born to a Chinese father and a Jamaican mother of mixed racial heritage in 1931, in Wait-a-Bit, Trelawny, Jamaica. He attended Siloah Primary, Duncans Primary and Windsor High schools and recalls that many evenings, during his elementary schooldays, were spent under the counter of his parents' shop, as they attended to customers and helped him with homework. Unaware of his presence, they often discussed village happenings in great detail, giving him invaluable insight into the “grass-roots” culture of Jamaica.
His attention later turned to his Chinese heritage, finding that those teachings were not that different from others and in some instances were identical. This lively interest in and knowledge of, Jamaican and Chinese folklore, was broadened and enhanced, when he went to work with the Jamaica Social Welfare Commission and the JIS (Information Service), audio-visual programming which took him to every corner of the island.
Easton was a member of the Caribbean Thespians Dramatic Society, and soon established himself as a major actor, playwright and director. His professional career, enhanced by his education in radio Broadcasting and Production from the BBC and Theatre Arts from the Pasadena Playhouse in California, was spent chiefly in the field of communication, where he maintained a standard of excellence.
Easton received many prestigious awards, which included - Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD), the Silver Musgrave Medal and the PM’s Award for Excellence (in Broadcasting, Theatre, and contribution to Jamaica’s Cultural Development).
Prior to poetry and fiction, Easton Lee was primarily known as a dramatist – writing and producing Jamaica’s first TV Drama and his best-known production - The Rope and the Cross. He published many books, the latest being - Kiss Mi Granny – a collection of stories and teachings, from “all ah wi Granny dem.” He was a close friend and colleague of both Dr. Olive Lewin and the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley.
He was the Advisor and Artistic Director to the Jamaican Folk Singers, and to the Louise Bennett- Coverley Heritage Council, in South Florida.
Easton dedicated his life’s work to the “fulfilment of God’s purpose” - his crowning achievement being his graduation from the United Theological College (Ja), and his ordination as an Anglican/ Episcopal Priest, serving with Fr. Horace Ward, at the Holy Family Episcopal Church, in Miami Gardens. His wife Jean, a gifted seamstress, designed and make Jamaican-themed vestments, which he wore with pride.
The LB-C Heritage Council is eternally grateful for his love, mentorship, words of wisdom and guidance.
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“Big Big Tenky Maas Easton, and Walk Good, wid Miss Lou, Maas Eric, Miss Olive an’ all the odder good duppy dem.”
Jean and Easton Lee with Fae Ellington →