OBITUARY

Rowena Anetta Cardoza (nee Williamson), was born on January 16, 1933 in Kensington district, Portland, Jamaica to parents Florence and Thomas Williamson. Being the youngest of her parents' 6 children, she was affectionally called "Dolly." Her sweet, coy countenance also earned her the name "Little sunshine," from family friend "Maas Willie."

Dolly's early education came via infant school in Kensington, then elementary school at nearby Manchioneal. Her secondary education was at Camperdown High in Kingston, where she passed the Senior Cambridge exams.

In her formative years, Dolly's parents instilled the importance of knowing and serving Christ and maintaining a Christian home. With her parents and siblings, young Dolly attended church, Sunday school, and Christian Endeavour each Sunday. She loved to sing, and cherished her faith  dearly. Equally salient was her passion for caring for the sick. This penchant led her to embark on a successful career as a registered professional nurse. She trained at Kingston Public Hospital School of Nursing in Jamaica (1950-52). After graduating, she worked in various regional hospitals: Buff Bay in Portland, The Cayman Islands, Princess Margaret in St. Thomas, and Kingston Public. During these years, she met and fell blissfully for her beloved lifetime partner, the debonair Horace Cardoza. They married in 1961, and migrated to New York shortly after. They were parents to 2 children: Horace Jr, and Andrea.

The family lived first in Manhattan where Horace worked at ABC and she at Beth Israel Hospital (B.I.), then later in suburban Larchmont.

Dolly started at B.I. as an RN and was later promoted to Nurse Manager for the Maternity Unit. She continued in this role until her retirement. With their children now grown and beginning their own adult pursuits and the "empty nest" phase approaching, Dolly and Horace relocated to Pt. St. Lucie, Florida. However, Dolly's zeal for bedside nursing could not be harnessed by retirement. Thus she returned to work part time as an orthopedic nurse at Port St. Lucie Hospital.

During their Port St. Lucie phase, Dolly and Horace became grandparents to 3 adored grandsons: Brian, Trevor, then Alex.

Dolly loved her nuclear and extended family, her church, and her community. After her 2nd retirement, the quiet yet adventurous, fun loving and altruistic Dolly pursued several

passions that gave her added joy:

• She was an avid reader
• She was a civics and politics enthusiast
• She volunteered at voter polling stations
• She joined a seniors' group and took piano and Spanish lessons
• She volunteered in local schools such as Bayshore and Morningside Elementary
• She sang on the First Presbyterian Church choir
• She joined the Pt. St. Lucie and Treasure Coast Chorales, with whom she travelled across the country performing in venues like New York's Carnegie Music Hall, and toured internationally for performances in countries like England and Germany

Dolly was a member of the Pt. St. Lucie Nurses Association. She had abiding respect for education, and held a BSN from Hunter College, CUNY. With friend Phyllis Stevens, she founded the Pt. St. Lucie branch of the American Association of University Women. She took pride in going on cruises, attending conferences, and hosting membership meetings at her home.

Dolly lived a full and accomplished life, dedicated to service and assisting others. Family meant the world to her. She was energized by regular pilgrimages back to Jamaica for Williamson family reunions. Her family and friends loved and adored her.

Rowena Anetta (Dolly) Cardoza made her peaceful transition on February 11, 2022 at home in Pt. St. Lucie—on hospice care  in the loving attendance of son Horace Jr., and daughter Andrea.

She was pre-deceased by husband Horace, parents Thomas and Florence, brothers John and Claude, and sisters Olive and Hyacinth ("Becky"). She is survived by son Horace Jr. & daughter-in-law Kim, daughter Andrea & son-in-law Mark, grandsons Brian, Trevor and Alex, sister Louise (her sole living sibling), nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives, friends and well-wishers.

Dolly was loved immensely; but the Lord has chosen to take her into eternal peaceful rest at such a time as this.

We will all forever cherish her memory.