Barbara Elaine O'Connor Whitehill

Beautiful Barbara, above all valued family and family ties.

She always wanted to know how her children and grandchildren were doing and was ever concerned for their all around well-being. She loved deeply and cared about others. There was nothing superficial about Barbara.

Barbara was born in Mandeville, Jamaica, on August 26th, 1928. As a young girl she enjoyed all the delights of countryside living such as raising rabbits, caring for cats and other animals, climbing trees and relishing the freedom to explore her environment.

At age 19 she married Norbert and started a family eventually having 5 children. She helped each as best she could to have a successful start in life and continued to be supportive of all of their endeavors. Barbara and Norbert divorced after 25 years and later in life Barbara married a long acquainted gentleman named Alex Whitehill. Unfortunately Alex passed shortly after their marriage from terminal cancer. Prior to his passing however, they were able to enjoy in previous years many happy summers together.

In her young adult life Barbara “Babs” was definitely a go-getter. Her first professional career was as a Studio Girl cosmetics representative wherein she traveled the Caribbean promoting their cosmetic line, speaking to women, demonstrating makeup application and no doubt imbuing all her efforts with her easy way, laughter, disarming and charming manner all along. She lent a helping hand to all those who came her way and even at times provided food and shelter for homeless children.

Later, Barbara opened her own handicraft business where she designed and marketed her own line of straw bags and other goods geared for the tourists who vacationed in Jamaica. She dyed her own colored raffia, and employed a team of craftswomen who sewed and decorated these bags with unique designs. She would then pack her small station wagon to the gills with her finished goods and transport all these beautiful handcrafted items to Montego Bay where they could be sold in shops. She was a fearless woman entrepreneur and so so very hard working. She loved a Coca-Cola to keep her going on her long travels between Kingston and Jamaica’s tourist locales.

Later on Barbara settled in Miami, working as a Nurses Aid at Biscayne Retirement Home and Later on at Epworth Village Senior Living in Hialeah. She was much loved by the residents there. She was promoted to the position of Activities Director where she she enjoyed playing a curated selection of music for the residents, organized and hosted countless events and brought in different entertainers.

After many years, Mom later retired from the position and enjoyed home ownership in Miami, She was very proud of the fact that she came to America with only $50.00 in her pocket and through diligent hard work was able to save to buy her own home which really was her castle. She enjoyed planting fruit trees and later harvesting her oranges, ackees and more which she gladly shared with joy with others.

She made all who entered her home feel welcomed and loved.

In her later years she enjoyed a quiet retired life in Miami, enjoying music, especially selections by Luciano Pavarotti and other classical and contemporary singers. She also enjoyed entertaining friends and very much enjoyed the company of family and friends. Her mind was sharp and she was witty. She had a twinkling smile.

Her older daughter, Marcia was a stable constant in Barbara’s life, making sure Barbara was well taken care of, provided her favorite foods (mangoes) and tirelessly advocated for her in every way in Mom’s older years as she entered assisted living.

At Villa Maria Nursing Home where Mom spent her last years, she enjoyed the musical programs there as well as all the weekly activities along with almost daily visits from her daughter Marcia and Grandson David.

Although we had Beautiful Barbara for nearly 95 years we still feel sad for the loss of her great warmth and light. May she enjoy now her eternal rest in the arms of our Beloved Savior Jesus Christ who I am confident welcomed her with the words “...well done my good and faithful servant”.

She is predeceased by two sons, Robert and Rodger O’Connor. Left to mourn her passing are her three other children; son George and daughters Sharon Dudzinski and Marcia O’Connor as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

The family thanks you so very much for your condolences and prayers during our time of bereavement.

With much love, Barbara’s family.