Blossom Rose Dennis (Kirby)

Blossom Rose Kirby-Dennis was born to John Thomas Kirby and Amy Maud Sinclair on August 15, 1949 in Santa Hill, Spalding, Clarendon, Jamaica. She went to Spalding Primary School, graduated from Knox College and obtained a certificate in shorthand at Glanvilla Commercial School.

Growing up, mom was a friendly and quiet child. She had a kind-hearted and caring spirit and showed compassion and love to everyone she came in contact with. She met her late husband Charles, on a bus, while visiting her aunt in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica; he was the conductor. She was hooked from his pick-up line, “Yuh maama langa than yuh paapa” (her slip was longer than her dress). Imagine someone coming up to you today, using the same pick-up line. We’d probably laugh and say, “Sir, not interested!”, but hey, it worked out for them. The day after she met Dad, she told her best friend and special cousin, Yvonne, that she met a tall, dark man on the bus and he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

Mom was a devoted church goer since she was a child. She accepted the Lord as her Savior in her 20s, at Assemblies of the First Born (Zion) at Santa Hill, Clarendon, Jamaica. She then went on to serve the Church of God Deliverance Centre in Santa Hill along with her entire family and was dedicated and committed to the choir ministry for many years. She worked as a secretary at the Sugar Industry Authority, previously known as Sugar Research; and then Azan’s Super Centre and Wiltshire’s Hardware Company performing accounting/bookkeeping until she migrated to the United States with her children in April 1992.

Mom’s passion for children led her to a career as a Nanny. She was loved and respected by all the families she worked with, was never released from a job due to cause. Families moved on from her because they relocated to other states, and all the families kept in touch with her throughout the years via annual Christmas cards and social media. They made sure she continued to feel loved and included in their life’s journey throughout the years.

One of Mom’s happiest moments was getting on our bi-weekly Zoom calls and seeing all of her children together. She was the first to send Saturday reminders to the crew, “Hi everyone. Today is a meeting day. Who’s joining in?”, making sure everyone was on the call at 4:00 p.m. We spent hours on the calls reminiscing about life in Jamaica, growing up, things that happened during the week and cracking jokes – Chris was always the entertainment. We would also try to outdo each other on the calls by highlighting any Jamaican goodies we came across in the US (hard to come by) – Mom and Lee always won, hands down.

Mom was smart and had a sharp mind. She was like the human Google search engine…..seriously. She retained everything. You want directions to anywhere by car, bus or train in Chicago, ask her. You want to find a long lost relative, need to know a name, she’ll find them via ancestry.com. She has connected so many of our relatives around the world by researching and sharing her knowledge with humor and warmth. Her favorite pastimes were talking to her children, sisters, and cousins; doing puzzles and games on her phone, making beaded pictures, watching “Naked and Afraid” and “The Bachelor/Bachelorette.”

Wait, did I tell you she was a phenomenal cook? Doug would say different because he thinks he is the chef of the family, but we all know who the real Chef BRD was. Her oxtail, curry goat and stew peas were top tier. Because most of us lived in other states, if any of us were visiting, she made sure to have our favorite meal prepared. There wasn’t anything she baked or cooked that didn’t taste good. Christmas was extra special - she would have the house smelling like Jamaican fruit cake and Sorrel. Her cakes were so good; she had orders. We used to tell her she should open up a restaurant, but she loved her babies more. She found delight and happiness in watching people enjoy her meals because she put so much heart and love into them.

Blossom was preceded in death by her father, John; mother, Amy; and husband, Charles. She leaves to cherish her memory: her sisters, Joy Dehaney and Cherry Hall (Shane); children: Douglas, Kay, Christopher (Camille), Marsha “Lee”, and Ingrid “Pat” (Ian Wellington); six grandchildren: Joseph, Roxanne, Rian, Jayde, Cain, and Zyniah; her furry babies: Sadie Rose, Leeloo, Papa, and Bruno; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

We are surely going to miss her beautiful smile, her infectious laugh, her gentle ways, her sweet soul, her checking on us to see how our day went, and talking to us on a daily basis. She was the best mom and the love of our lives. We could not have asked for a more humble and amazing human being. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone she interacted with, as well as those she reached but never met. We love you, Mommy!

An evening visitation for Blossom will be held Friday, October 18, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 West 103rd Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453. A prepass/ morning visitation will occur Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Covenant Faith Church of God, 10505 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60628. Following with a funeral service from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A graveside service will Conclude on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 12:30 PM at Beverly Cemetery, 12000 Kedzie Ave, Blue Island, IL 60406.