Mourners gather in tearful tribute to former Miss Jamaica Erica Anne Hamilton

There were lots of hugs and tears on Thursday as mourners gathered to celebrate the 79 years of blessed life for former Miss Jamaica Erica Anne Hamilton.

The cheerful spirit is what has kept her two surviving biological sons, Bobby Stewart and Edward Downer, going since her passing on January 17.

For many who gathered at St Jude’s Church in Stony Hill, St Andrew, the pain of her loss brought back memories of when she lost her son, Jonathan, who died tragically in a car accident decades ago – a son she shared with the late businessman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, her first husband.

Christopher Levy, group president and CEO of the Jamaica Broilers Group and a true friend whom she met through her son, recalled having Hamilton as a “second mother”, especially when Jonathan was alive, and even more so after his passing.

“A second mom, which, I can tell you, we both needed at that time. We [Jonathan and I] were very reckless in a lot of ways, and Erica was a part of it … . Her passion for fishing was really a way to keep her memory of John alive, and she fished as long as she could, but, like with all things, time catches up with us,” Levy recalled.

“Erica’s story is one of resilience. She was always positive, always hopeful, always up to the sport. She loved fishing, and the harder the fight with the blue marlin was, the louder she screamed, ‘Chris Levy, this is worse than having a baby!’ I couldn’t relate to that, but she never quit,” he said.

Levy said that through all of her life’s changes of loss, pain, love and excitement, Hamilton remained positive and excited.

One of the most bittersweet moments in her life was unveiling a plaque in honour of her late son to name Jamaica’s first modern high school library media centre in his honour at his alma mater, Campion College, in 2011.

DONATION

At the time, the Stewarts donated US$350,000 to the project in honour of Jonathan, who graduated from the school in 1983.

Hamilton’s stepson, Stephen Downer, described her as close the closest to a mother that he could have gotten.

“We were never in doubt as to her love for us. She played a central role in shaping our lives as we grew up … . To Erica, family was everything … . As a mother, she was devoted to Bobby, Jonathan and Edward – so proud of them all – and the way she coped with the tragic loss of John was incredible,” Downer said.

“Erica suffered a number of health issues, and yet, she remained a fighter,” he said.

Amid all the mourners in tributes, Hamilton’s dear friend, Sheila Hart, recalled her glowingly.

“Erica Hamilton had a long history of achievements … . Erica appreciated what fortune life brought her because she surrounded herself with her family, children, stepchildren, and, of course, friends … . How many of us had a smart and brilliant friend who is totally competent, super kind, loving, caring and fun?” Hart rhetorically questioned the mourners.

“This is Erica,” she said.

Hart also emphasised how Erica’s life was shattered when she tragically lost her Jonathan.

“John had a passion for fishing, and Erica used his boat in a way to connect with his friends, inviting them to fishing tournaments on this small 23-foot boat,” she said.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com