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CELEBRATION OF LIVES A Thanksgiving Service was given in Memory of the life of Monica E. Barrow- Jackson at the Government Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, October 11, 2003 at 4:15 p.m. Monica died on August 30 at her home in Palm Beach Florida after a prolonged battle with Cancer. The funeral Service was held on Tuesday September 9, 2003 at the Palm Bay S.D.A Church, 1000 American Boulevard N.E, Palm Bay, Florida 32907 USA. The Officiating pastor was Dr. Wintley A. Phipps. Monica Jackson was the daughter of Gerald and Lucine Barrow of Prospect St. James, Barbados. Here now is a short sketch of Monica's life. At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2 1952, a beautiful and healthy baby girl was born to Gerald and Lucine Barrow at Verona Maternity Hospital in the parish of St. Michael, Barbados. She became the third in their full quiver of four daughters. Reflecting on her contribution to the world's population, Mrs. Barrow always says that Monica was her easiest delivery. As the most quiet and reserved of the four girls, Monica was sheltered and protected by her sisters, Pat, Joan and especially by the youngest - Angie. This special bond between Monica and Angie continued into their adulthood, and fortified them to withstand the challenges and difficulties of the last year of Monica's illness. Monica benefited from a Christian education, having attended the Bridgetown SDA Primary and Secondary Schools. Her ambition to work in the secretarial field motivated her to pursue a related 2 year certificate program at the reputable Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic. Later, she obtained an Executive Diploma at Secretarial Services Early in the 1970's, Monica, having succeeded in all her studies, joined the work force as stenographer at Winifred Enterprises, a few years later, she moved on to better terms of employment at Motor Services Ltd. a major car dealership at the time. Her climb up the employment ladder continued when she took the position of Executive Secretary at Hanschell Inniss Ltd.- a major wholesale agent and manufacturer of various food products. Monica remained with this company until her migration to the USA. She was always well dressed. During her youthful days, her slim figure and fashionable wear earned her the nickname of Twiggy - labeled after a well-known model of the 1970's. She liked to sing. This gift she inherited from her mother. Her older sisters, Pat and Joan, who previously performed as duet at school and church, were now joined by Monica. This extended the Barrow Sisters singing group. Monica's talent was often in demand. Her engagements included singing at various functions across Barbados, both within and outside the realms of the SDA Church. She also sang with a number of church choirs and youth groups. As a member of the singing group with her best friends Cassandra Brown and Maria McClean, she was kept quite busy with their many appointments. This trio was well received and in 1989 a reunion concert organized by Angie brought Monica and Cassandra back to Barbados from the USA and Maria from Canada. Monica migrated to the USA in 1983 with an eagerness to find employment. She quickly started interviewing for jobs in relation to her Executive Secretarial and Business Management skills. She was fortunate to be placed in many temporary positions as secretary with various brokerage firms in the Wall Street area in New York City. Her work was so remarkable that as soon as one assignment was over she was placed in another. She worked temporarily with Merrill Lynch, and the on December 23, 1985, the company offered her a permanent position. In 1983, while attending the Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brooklyn, Monica met the man she would soon know, love and marry. After their first accidental meeting outside the church they soon got to know each other better as they both attended the same baptismal class. They fell in love, and their initial love for each other continued to grow. They were joined in Holy Matrimony on September 29, 1985, at the same church where they met. Monica always loved children and wanted to increase her family. They prayed that the Lord would bless them with two children. Their prayer was answered, and the first child arrived on March 6, 1988. They named him Gerald, after Monica's father. After the birth of the first child, the family relocated to Palm Pay, Florida. Here they became members of Palm Bay SDA Church. Monica soon occupied a place of leadership in the Children's Department of the Sabbath School. She also blessed the church with her God-given talent of singing. On August 19, 1991, their second son, Jerome was born. The family was now complete. Monica was unable to get a transfer from the Merrill Lynch office in New York to the office in Melbourne so she had to accept many temporary assignments, one of which was the Paine Webber brokerage firm in Melbourne. Here, Mrs. Diane Zizzo was her supervisor. After a short period of time, Mrs. Zizzo was given a supervisory position at Merrill Lynch's office. Not long after obtaining this new position she called Monica and invited her to come and work with her at Merrill Lynch. Monica's prayers were answered as she went back to work with the company she loved. All the employees loved her. She was an excellent cook and someone soon discovered this. She was then given the "high honor" of preparing the two annual Thanksgiving turkeys. Until last Thanksgiving, she saw it fit to give to her friends at work something they thoroughly enjoyed year after year. Monica had a great love for her work and would often leave home extra early in the morning and return home late in the evening .Whilst working at Merrill Lynch, she received many compliments from the clients she served. This was testimony of her true Christian character. In 1998, Monica was diagnosed with cancer, and the battle that would test not only her faith, but also the love and faith of her husband and family, had begun. She went through surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and all the best treatments available at this time, but developed congestive heart-failure as an effect of one of the chemo drugs. Her family suffered with her as they watched her declining. However, she did not die of heart disease, but of cancer that took its toll on this once-vibrant "daughter of Zion". During this period of illness she developed a closer relationship with her Lord. Even in her weakened state, she made an effort to be at worship with the church family as often as possible. On Saturday night, August 30, 2003, it became evident that the end was near. With her husband and her sister, Angie, by her side, her sons bade her goodbye. She passed peacefully to rest at 10:28 p.m. Monica is survived by: her husband, Arthur, and her sons Gerald and Jerome of Palm Bay; parents- Gerald and Lucine Barrow; father-in-law and mother-in-law- Arthur Jackson Sr. and Irene of Palm Bay; sisters - Patricia Barrow and Angela Springer of Barbados, and Joan Roberts of Brooklyn, NY; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and a host of church members and friends. MONICA, WE'LL SEE YOU IN THE MORNINGThe Flodden Abingdon Alumni Association would like to express sympathy and and condolence to Monica's family at this time of bereavement.
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