On Saturday, the Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Cathedral in Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica was filled with mourners who came to bid farewell to Jill Stewart, the late wife of Adam Stewart, the executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International.
Jill’s recent passing after a year-long struggle with cancer has been met with deep sorrow.
Her life was celebrated by the multitude of attendees, which included the Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, and their spouses. Officiating clergy included Archbishop of Kingston Kenneth Richards, Bishop of Montego Bay Burchell McPherson, homilist Deacon Baldwin Powell, and Deacon Ronald Thwaites, among others.
Remembering Jill Stewart’s impact
Through a shared sense of loss, family and friends created a unified portrait of Jill Stewart.
A Bahamian by birth, Jill had a deep affinity for Jamaica. She was lauded as a natural connector of people, a dedicated educator in all respects, and, most notably, a person who knew how to love.
Jill’s absence was profoundly felt by Lana Rademaker, who described Jill as her first best friend. The loss, according to Rademaker, was like losing a part of herself and she mournfully added, “Her absence hurts!”
More on Jill Stewart’s death
Adam Stewart’s heartfelt tribute to his late wife
Adam Stewart, her husband, gave a moving tribute that stirred a wave of emotion within the attendees.
He reminisced about their early love story which began when he was just 14 and she 15, and how their plan was to grow old together, to watch their children prosper, and eventually, welcome their grandchildren.
“This was not supposed to be the ending to our love story. Jill and I were supposed to grow old together and continue to watch our children thrive. We would often talk about the day we would welcome our kids’ kids… and how we planned to spend our time surrounded by their laughter… and reminiscing about the days when we were just a little bit younger. The truth is everything seemed possible when we were together. That’s because Jill just made things better,” he mournfully expressed.
Adam further extended his gratitude towards those who held a special place in Jill’s heart and his family, including his late father, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, who he said had a profound respect for Jill.
According to Adam, his father appreciated Jill’s contribution to his life on a personal and professional level and acknowledged her as a source of strength and calm. He thanked his late father for always supporting his love for Jill throughout their marriage.
His acknowledgments also extended to his elder brother Brian Jardim and sister-in-law Sheila Jardim, whose love he stated was something that Jill and he sought to emulate.
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