Enid Lovida Dwyer

Enid started her journey on earth in Manchester, Jamaica on Sunday the second of December, 1928 surrounded by love. She was the fourth child for Naomi and Thomas Mitchell. Naomi (née Cockett) passed away when Enid was just an infant whereafter her maternal grandparents raised her while her father raised her three older brothers, Wilbert [Bertie], Clifton, and Paltiel [P.E.]. At the age of 12, Enid was reunited with her older brothers, her father and his new wife, Eveline, with whom he had four more children, Earl, Merle, Windell, and Theda.

Despite the tragic loss of her mother, Enid was blessed with a supportive and nurturing environment. During her early years, she was the baby in her grandparents’ home, and she was loved by her aunts and uncles. She excelled in school, consistently making the honor roll. Her desire to become a teacher was realized after she graduated from Mile Gully school when she got her first job teaching at a school in Trench Town, Kingston.

At the age of 20, Enid emigrated to England where she served in the British Civil Service. Her first appointment was at the Board of Trade in London, where she worked as a secretary. Her outstanding performance of her duties won her many accolades, and she used the attention to help other black women join the civil service. After eleven years at the Board of Trade, she transferred to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance.

While living in London, she had an active social life; in 1955, she married K.F. Herbert Williams from Guyana. Although the marriage was short-lived, it yielded her most enduring love: her two sons, Michael and Richard. Upon separating from Herbert, Enid moved with her two sons to Nottingham to be closer to her brother Clifton. Shortly thereafter, she was visited by her childhood friend, Basil Dwyer, who had always admired Enid. They got married in December 1964. This marriage yielded the affection, care, and partnership that Enid deserved. Basil adored his wife, and they made a good life together.

Her life’s journey eventually took her to Seattle via a brief but productive interlude in Montreal Canada. In 1968, they settled in Seattle where Enid and her family built a legacy. They joined forces with two partners, Pat Francis and Istvan Szabo, to launch a mechanical engineering business, J.P. Francis & Associates. The company was very successful and at one point was the largest minority-owned mechanical engineering firm in the State of Washington. Their firm secured major projects throughout the state, including engineering projects at SeaTac Airport and the King County Courthouse. Enid served as controller of this company for 32 years.

Beyond her impressive business acumen was her renowned devotion to her children. Enid was Michael and Richard’s biggest fan. When they were kids, she always showed up for their football and basketball games. Whenever there was a big game, she would bring an entourage of friends to cheer on Michael and Richard. She imparted her culinary skills to Richard, who went on to open Casuelita’s restaurant in Belltown. Both her sons inherited her big heart and diplomatic skills, which serve them well to this day. The cornerstone of her life was her deep affection for her sons, and this love extended to their spouses and her grandchildren.

Her son Michael fondly remembers life with his mother as “phenomenal and fun.” Their home was always alive with enriching conversations; according to Michael, “the question was not, ‘What’s for dinner?’ but ‘Who’s coming for dinner?’”

One of Enid’s trademarks was the balance she maintained in life; she was an affectionate and devoted mother while being diligent and efficient at work. She also tirelessly served the community as a leader, diplomat, and friend. Enid organized countless community activities from which many people benefited. She was a vital thread in the fabric of life for many people in Seattle providing support ranging from professional advice to match-making. She was integral in the formation of several affinity organizations that strengthened the diaspora community including the West Indian Association and the West Indian Women’s Club. In addition, she assisted people from all walks of life, including Jamaican students studying at the University of Washington and professional women who needed a boost of skills or confidence. She also spearheaded an annual excursion to Brewster, Washington to provide food, entertainment, and camaraderie for Jamaican farm workers assigned there, bringing joy to them while they were far from home.

Her life changed in 1991 with the passing of her beloved husband. In true “Enid” fashion, she rose above her loss and charted a course forward that would entail devoting more of her time to serving others. In 1995, the Government of Jamaica appointed Enid Dwyer Honorary Consul of Jamaica to the State of Washington and the Pacific Northwest, making official the duties she was already performing. A year after her appointment, hurricane Marco hit Jamaica, and Enid created Friends of Jamaica Seattle (FOJS) to provide emergency and compassionate support for Jamaica. She served as Honorary Consul for 25 years. During this time, her work positively impacted the lives of many people, and she was widely recognized by government officials, professionals, community leaders, and her constituents. Her work is memorialized in the many lives she touched and also in citations from the City of Kent, the State of Washington, and the Government of Jamaica.

She received the 2011 Governor General’s Jamaica Diaspora Award of Excellence, the 2014 Prime Minister’s Award for Service and, in October 2019, the Ambassador of Jamaica to the United States, Her Excellency Ambassador Audrey Marks, traveled to Seattle to bestow upon Enid Dwyer the “Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service” from the Government of Jamaica for loyal service to Jamaica and Jamaican citizens.

In 2015, Enid was commissioned as a one-star Washington General by the Association of Washington Generals, the honor of which was bestowed upon her by Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen.

“She was an icon,” said Mr. Lembhard Howell, a retired attorney and close friend of Enid. “The West Indian community in Seattle benefitted greatly by having Enid in our midst.”

Enid was an elegant woman, and she lived a full life. She traveled extensively, visiting places such as Egypt, Fiji, France, and Seychelles. In her home, she hosted dignitaries and provided a home for people in need. She touched hearts and stomachs with the exquisite spreads she would prepare for any occasion.

An avid sports fan, Enid loved the Seahawks, and her living room was a Super Bowl destination. She wore the # 72 jersey of her favorite Seahawk as she watched the games, and said a prayer for the Seahawks players, whose names and stories she knew keenly. She maintained her mental acuity by doing brain teasers such as sudoku and crossword puzzles, and through continual learning, including trying new recipes. She played the piano and watched Days of our Lives as part of her daily routine.

Always of a sound mind until the very end, Enid was at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington recovering from emergency surgery. During the difficult recovery, she met with The Rev. Canon Dr. Marda Steedman Sanborn, Interim Rector at Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church where Enid had been a member since 1978.

“After meeting with her Minister, my mother said that she was at peace with whatever was in store for her,” recalled Michael. “She was ready to embrace any outcome.”

Enid’s final days were a reflection of her life: vibrant, colorful, full of love, graceful, and planned. She courageously spent her last days saying goodbye to her family and friends.

“Grandma Enid was not afraid to die,” observed Caleb Da’Briel Fikru, her surrogate grandson who visited her in the hospital to say goodbye.

After 92 years, Enid was surrounded by her loving family when she took her last breath on Sunday, the thirtieth of May, 2021 in Renton, Washington. She was the last remaining of eight children. She is survived by her two sons, Michael and Richard (Frankie); her grandchildren, Jordan, Kingston, and Latoya; nieces and nephews; an aunt, Ivelyn Fleming in Montreal, Canada; and a host of other relatives and friends.

We will all miss Enid, and we look forward to that glorious day when we will be reunited with her and all saints in Christ.

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The funeral service will be live-streamed.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Viewing at 11:00 AM PDT followed by the service at 12:00 noon

https://youtu.be/PYZPodcvM4o

The family invites you to a celebration of life at the Newcastle Beach Park starting at 2:00 PM PDT.

Sincere thanks to the staff of Valley Medical Center; the caregivers who assisted Enid in her home; Rev. Marda Steedman Sanborn and Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church; and the staff of Sunset Hills Memorial Park and Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to contribute to the Enid L. Dwyer Memorial Scholarship Fund for the benefit of students from Mile Gully High School who wish to pursue studies in accounting. Donations are accepted at www.enidldwyerscholarship.org.