Esme Flemming

Esme was born on May 6, 1941, in Highgate, St. Mary to Sitara and Jeremiah Flemming. The family then moved to Winchester, St. Thomas. While her six (6) siblings migrated to foreign countries or left the Winchester district in St. Thomas, Esme stayed to provide care for Sitara and Jeremiah. She attended church in Jamaica and did not like to attend dances or Kumina events in the Winchester district where she grew up. She was an entrepreneur in Jamaica, being a dressmaker and a concessionary shop owner. As a Dressmaker, she had a lot of customers in Winchester, Stokes Hall, and Golden Grove. Her grocery shop was in Winchester, where she sold foods items and accessories. 

 In 1962, Esme was preparing to migrate to England to join her brother Joseph, but postponed the trip as she was pregnant with her 1st child, Clifton. She indefinitely postponed the trip to England, and she conceived Rayon in 1966 and Maxine in 1968. In 1980, she migrated to Canada from an invitation from her close friend Ms. Lurline. While in Canada, Esme joined the Nursing Profession, where she served as a Nursing Assistant until she retired. 

 Esme was a kind, caring and fun-loving character, who loved to entertain and cook for her guests. She always said, “if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all”. She always had time to listen and pray with her friends and gave them any assistance that she could. You always felt loved after a visit with Esme. Esme passed away on January 23, 2024, at the age of 83.  

 Esme is survived by her brother Joseph Flemming, children Clifton Reid (wife Marlene), Rayon McKenzie (wife Yvette) and Maxine Dowding and grandchildren Javine, Demar, Daniel, Joel, Natasha, Collette, Debra-kay, Denordo, and six (6) great-grandchildren.