Myrtle Dwyer (centre) and her friends, from left: Phyllis Jones, Roy Anderson, Dr Patrick Adizua, Rev Everton Jackson, Sonia Chin, Joyce Delisser, Roy Delisser, sister Cynthia Dwyer and Solomon Gardner at a special ceremony in her honour by the Embassy of Spain at Half Moon last Saturday night.

WESTERN BUREAU:

By his royal resolution, Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, deemed it fitting to award a country girl from the hills of Westmoreland the Commander of Order of Civil Merit of his kingdom on Saturday, March 22.

After serving 10 years as Honorary Consul to Spain, Montego Bay's adopted daughter, Myrtle Veronica Dwyer, and Half Moon's pillar of strength was conferred with the honours, distinctions and the use of the insignia which are applied in accordance with the Spanish statutes.

And on hand to read the declaration and pin the official emblem was Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva.

"She did a lot of pioneering work, long before Montego Bay became a place filled with Spaniards, making an enormous contribution, and remains the pillar of the Spanish Embassy in this part of the country," said Ambassador Silva.

Contribution

The King of Spain and his subjects weren't the only ones to recognise the stellar contribution of this woman, who Richard Whitfield described as "One of the most successful women among men, leading a fine cadre of female managers at Half Moon."

Whitfield, managing director of the luxurious resort, along with his companion, Vee Redpath, opened up their home at the resort to host Dwyer, her close friends and a large gathering from the Spanish community.

"Myrtle is the rock upon which Half Moon stands," he complimented his employee, who has earned 30 years under her belt.

Sharing in the occasion were: Custos Clarence Nelson, Rachel Anderson, sister Cynthia Dwyer, Norma Lara, Carole Trustee Lee, Sharon Logan. Denton and Valrie Campbell, Carol and Courtney Walters, Roy Anderson, Dr Patrick Adizua and wife Leslie, Melissa Chang, Sonia Chin, Shernette and Donat Crichton, Roy and Joyce Delisser, Pauline Reid, Peter and Karlene Kellond, Aram Zeruniam, Orville and Norma Foster, Lloyd B. Smith and Wordsworth Watson, among others.

- Janet Silvera