Bartlett salutes Eva Myers, late owner of Evita’s Italian Restaurant
Published:Saturday | June 18, 2022 | 12:08 AMCarl Gilchrist/Gleaner Writer
Eva Myers, who made Ocho Rios her home and Evita’s Italian Restaurant the leader in its class since 1984, has passed.
Myers died Friday morning in Montego Bay, St James, after ailing for some time. She was 79.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett hailed Myers’ contribution to the Jamaican tourism sector, describing her as iconic.
“Eva Myers has been an iconic figure in almost every aspect of Jamaican life,” Bartlett said.
“She was also a friend of tourism for many years, winning many awards and accolades. No one will ever forget her signature Evita’s Italian Restaurant or her role as a great corporate citizen and philanthropist. She led an exemplary life and will certainly be missed.”
Vana Taylor, president of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce and Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) chair, noted Myers’ footprints in St Ann serving in various capacities over the past three decades.
“Mrs Myers was a St Ann Chamber of Commerce president for a number of years. She was an outstanding member of the chamber. What she did for the chamber went beyond the call of duty. She really made a significant contribution to the chamber and to St Ann, generally,” Taylor told The Gleaner on Friday afternoon.
Born in Italy, Myers made Jamaica her home over four decades ago and built the Evita’s brand through her charm and a mix of Italian and Jamaican dishes which she created.