Pascale James celebrated in emotional service

President of the MVP Track Club and noted athletics analyst Bruce James, during the funeral at St Andrew Parish Church in Half-Way-Tree yesterday, gave a wonderful story about his wife, Pascale, who passed away from cancer last Sunday.

James in his remembrance speech spoke glowingly of his late spouse, who was born

in Amsterdam, Holland, on September 6, 1969, and died of cancer on July 22, 2018.

An emotional James had to be escorted to the podium as he fought hard to hold back tears and stopped three times during his presentation.

"These men believe that I will break down," James told members of the congregation as he tried to make light of the situation.

James shared that Pascale was the firstborn to her Haitian parents Eric and Michelle Malebranche.

"On that day, they welcomed their first child. She demonstrated amazing timing as the doctors advised that if she was not born by 10:00 p.m., a Caesarean section would be done. However, Pascale arrived on time," he said.

In a moving tribute, which spoke to his wife's commitments and passions, James reminisced about his late wife's support and love she enjoyed in her personal and professional lives, her love for sport, particularly football, and the Haitian and Jamaican football teams.

"On October 1999, Pascale gave birth to our first child, Lia, and Pascale quit work to dedicate the first few years to her. In 2005, Pascale gave birth to our second child Savana. She stayed with Lia until she was in pre-school then got work as a language teacher at Wolmer's Prep. Our family was completed. As the Jamaican saying goes, 'two is better than too many' was observed," James also shared.

"Pascale was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. On Saturday, July 21, her parents visited for their 50th wedding anniversary. It was not a pre-arranged visit. Then on July 22, in the presence of her family, in a serene and peaceful moment, she died. Pascale, I love you and always will," he concluded.

The officiating clergy included Rt Reverend Howard Gregory, Bishop of Jamaica; the Rt Reverend Robert Thompson, Bishop of Kingston; the Reverend Canon Sittano Kitson; the Reverend Father Michael Elliott, and the Reverend Mark Jones.

In attendance were a number of sporting luminaries including MVP coaches Stephen and Paul Francis, as well as former world 100m world record holder Asafa Powell along with president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association Dr Warren Blake, among many others.