Ceceline Myrtle (Crooks) Marriott was born on November 19, 1934, in Swift River, Portland, Jamaica, to William and Edna Crooks. One of seven children, she had a fraternal twin who preceded her in death. She was not raised in the home of her biological parents but with her father’s sister, Aunt Cas, and her husband, Cyril. As she said, being the only child raised by her Aunt and Uncle gave her many more opportunities; unfortunately, it also meant losing the connection with her parents and siblings. However, Ceceline believed that her Aunt Cas instilled valuable qualities that would serve her throughout her life. “Be content with what you have, live within your means, the value of hard work, and most importantly - how to be a strong Jamaican woman.”
We lost a fierce warrior on October 8, 2022. Fierce in her love and expectations of love, fierce in her opinions, fierce in her beliefs, and fierce in her ambitions and drive. She never lacked the will to do or the capacity to get it done. She expected much of herself and almost as much from those around her. Whether a friend or relative, her children, grandchildren, or the students she taught, she willingly offered her thoughts, ideas, and opinions and was always a cheerleader.
The byproduct of this Jamaican immigrant’s vast well of strength and desire was evident in her success. When she arrived in NYC in 1963, the work available to a young immigrant like herself was often menial. Cleaning bathrooms and toilets, child care, and secretarial work, all of which she willingly did to give her young family a start in their adopted country. Despite her humble beginnings, she completed her undergraduate degree from Queens College In New York City and two Masters degrees from New York
University and Nova Southeastern College, respectively, while working two and sometimes three jobs. She ultimately retired as a college professor at Florida Memorial College and Miami-Dade Community College. She truly believed that the root of all success was in educating oneself, and she exemplified that belief in every way.
Along the way, Ceceline married two Lloyds, Lloyd Whylie and Lloyd Marriott, of course, at different times. It seems that she just had an affection for the name. She had four children with her first love,” Lloyd Whylie(d.2009), to whom she was married for twenty-eight years. After relocating to the USA, they made their home in New York City. They divorced in 1979, and Ceceline moved to Miami, Florida. She remained single for almost 20 years until she reconnected with an acquaintance from her younger days, Lloyd Marriott(#2). They married in 1998 and moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida, where they became active in the community and the local Methodist church. Ceceline and Lloyd(#2) traveled, entertained, and enjoyed life together in retirement, even dabbling in real estate investing as one of their hobbies.
After Lloyd(#2) passed, Ceceline moved back to South Florida (Tamarac), where she lived until moving to Acworth, Georgia, in 2017. On October 8, 2022, we lost Ceceline to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Friends and relatives will sorely miss her. But we know she is already teaching the angels how to improve their contribution to those of us still here, planning Heaven’s annual Christmas play, and reminding everyone who will listen that they could still “do better” and “be better.”
Ceceline was preceded in death by her youngest son, Donovan Whylie. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-love, Whitfield and Natalie Whylie, her daughter and “favorite” son-in-love, Hope and Curtis Cheeks, her son, Michael Whylie; six grandchildren, Kaycee Brock, Jon Brock, Christopher Whylie, Cayli Cheeks, Jordaan Whylie, and Osei-Sekou Whylie and the apple of her eye, her great-granddaughter, Bryce Naomi Brock; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends, all of whom she loved greatly. Please join us to celebrate her life on October 29, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the Star of David Memorial Cemetery and Funeral Chapel in North Lauderdale, Florida.
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