Olive Dorothy Prescott was a mother, cousin, grandmother and close friend, born on 8th June, 1933, in  Belize City,  to Father: Adrian Hugh Prescott and Mother: Pearl Reneau. Miss Olive as she was affectionately known, did  3 years of teaching at Wesley Primary School before becoming one of the finest seamstresses this country has ever known while being a work-at-home mother for her 5 children.

Considering this special occasion and to honor her, we would like to start with this wonderful poem by Howard Johnson, that epitomized her.

Mom, we look at you and see a walking miracle.

Your unfailing love without limit, your ability to soothe our every hurt, the way you are on duty, unselfishly, every hour, every day, makes us so grateful that we are yours, and you are us.

With open arms and open heart, with enduring patience and inner strength, you gave so much for us, sometimes at your expense.

You are our teacher, our comforter, our encourager, appreciating all, forgiving all.

Sometimes we took you for granted, Mom, but we don’t know, and we never will again.

I know that everything we are today relates to you and your loving care.

We gaze in wonder as we watch you being you —our miracle, our mother.

Those are fitting words that characterized Olive Dorothy Prescott.

She was a miracle worker, overcoming the struggles of raising and fostering her five children, Karen, Raymond, Frank (deceased), Odessa and Floyd. We remember the days when family values were the order of the day, every day: where virtues such as honesty, appreciation, generosity and kindness to others prevailed. And paramount to all those virtues was to always remember to thank God for our Blessings.

Our mother has always been there for us and we learnt very fast that her love for us, was the greatest gift any child can ever receive or want, from their mother. Of course, we did not appreciate what parenthood entails until we become mothers and fathers ourselves.  We understood and appreciated that gift so much better and we shared empathy with those who may never have received such gift. We learn quickly that modern motherhood or fatherhood was not neat.

Of course, she also taught us to appreciate the good things others did for us. And to show gratitude in any way possible. We remember being emissaries for our family, having to run across the street to say thank you to our neighbors for whatever graciousness they extended to our family…  Sometimes not knowing what they did and making sure we were back quickly.

But the rule that anchored our developed characteristics was the fear and service to God.  Sunday School, Girl Guides and Boy Scouts were a must. We all remember Church Service every Sunday from 8-9. Thereafter we would head over to either Harvey Hall or a school room for Sunday School.  Serving God and doing our domestic chores came first before matinee. The request and permission for matinee is another matter and will take writing a whole book.

Now as adults with children of our own, we understand the Jewish Proverb “God could not be everywhere, so he made mothers”.

Mother, Miss Olive, Mama, we thank you for everything.

To the other mothers present here or everywhere, whose lives are every day, compelling examples of unwavering, unyielding, uninterrupted commitment to your children and families, we pray that God continues to bless you as we believe he blessed Miss Olive.