Opera singer makes it 90
Published:Sunday | May 8, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
It was a glorious occasion at the 90th-birthday celebration for opera singer Mercedes Kirkwood in the quiet community of Riversdale, St Catherine, on Saturday, April 30.
The occasion saw friends, relatives and peers of the beloved Kirkwood out to celebrate the special day with her.
The array of delicious dishes by A&E Caterers included candied sweet potatoes with raisins, jerked chicken, fried sprat, curried goat, and stewed pork, cheesecake, black forest cake and potato pudding.
A variety of natural juices, alcoholic and other beverages completed the fare.There were tributes in song and spoken word from Cecil Cooper, David Reid, Keith Lyn, Carlene Davis, Hugh Lyons and Howard Moo-Young.
In her response, Kirkwood said: "It is to me a very lovely afternoon to celebrate among friends, some of whom I knew from my early singing career; it's more than I expected."
Her children, Maria Azan, Joan Jones and Howard Williams, hosted the many who turned out for the grand occasion.
Kirkwood, who was born in Del Rio, Cuba, came to Jamaica at age 12; she lived in England and the United States of America and still remains a household name on the opera circuit.