Thanksgiving service for Pinky September 17; tears, laughter at nine-night
Published:Monday | August 14, 2023 | 12:08 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
The thanksgiving service for Doreen ‘Pinky’ Prendergast will be held on September 17 at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Hope Road.
Pinky, a leading dancehall siren in the ‘90s, and the sister of Dancehall Queen Carlene, passed away on Saturday, July 29, at a hospice in New York, following a years-long battle with cancer.
“We are putting everything in place to give my sister a good send-off. I got the use of the garden theatre, where services like this for other persons in entertainment have been held. Pinky Lou wanted to be buried here in Jamaica, so we are looking about bringing home her body, and we are also giving her friends enough time to put their plans in place so that they can be here,” Carlene shared.
Last Monday, a nine-night celebration was held at Stone Love HQ on Burlington Avenue in St Andrew. It started from 3:15 p.m, the time at which Pinky passed nine days prior, and continued well into the night.
“I really didn’t know that so many people would turn up ... but people were here from early. As one set left, another set came in. It was heart-warming to see that Pinky was so well loved,” Carlene told The Gleaner while at the event.
A section of the lawn was cordoned off and nicely laid out with a table and pictures and posters of Pinky, as well as lit candles spelling out her name. On a medium-sized screen, videos were shown of Pinky with family and friends in happier times.
Among those who took the mic to pay tribute was Big Stone, who had assisted with setting up the Helping Hands fundraiser for Pinky. He remembered her as a great dancer who was kind-hearted, full of life and always ready to party, and like many who were present, commended Carlene on being “the best sister anyone could have”.
As the hostess, Carlene tried to be upbeat, and for the most part she succeeded, but at 11 p.m., when it was time to light starlights she had a moment. The tears flowed as she sat on a chair surrounded by friends and family. Her daughter Crystal, who was also crying, sat in her mother’s lap and comforted her.
“I don’t know how I am going to live without Pinky,” Carlene said.
Another celebration of the life of Pinky will be held tonight in London at the Cora Lounge Alma Road, Enfield, hosted by Lena British and Spider. Veteran singer Anthony Malvo will be there.
“Me and Pinky go a far way. My first video Pinky was in it ... Summer Love with me and Tiger ... Carlene was in it to. So that sister deh, she was mi sister. Pinky was a great lady ... she was great for the music business,” Anthony Malvo said.
Pinky will be laid to rest at the May Pen Cemetery, as was her wish.