Misha Lobban, Gleaner Writer

Pat Ramsay's skills are not limited to the arts, she is a great chef.

Candi Hayden-Peart

When it hurts to look back and you are scared to look ahead, you can look beside you and your best friend will be there.

- Anonymous

P at Ramsay, along with her late husband, Ken Ramsay, has been associated with the arts in Jamaica and overseas for many years.

Currently the deputy chair for the National Gallery and a member of the board of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Pat is well known for her outstanding work in mounting international exhibitions and influencing international personalities and artistes to visit Jamaica.

She is one of three recognised art evaluators in Jamaica, and she also acts as corporate art consultant and art buyer for companies and individuals.

Since 1997, she has held the position of cultural director at the University of Technology (UTech), with responsibility for creating and implementing the arts programme, and initiating and executing educational projects.

achievements

Her tenure at UTech has been marked by the extensive development of the arts at the university, and she has been credited for the achievement of the first-ever Caribbean Sculpture Park located on the campus, and the prestigious art collection now boasted by the university.

She was instrumental in facilitating UTech's collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art, New York, to host the first-ever Symposium on Caribbean Modernist Architecture, in February 2008. This was UTech's most successful symposium to date.

Pat is also known for her dedication to service and to facilitating human development. For her, life and living are about making positive and lasting impact in the lives of the people who come into her 'space'.

This belief is at the core of her many philanthropic works in the community and the different initiatives that she undertakes.

She serves on a number of boards, including the Cultural, Health, Art, Sports and Education Fund and University Council of Jamaica and she is also the honorary co-chair of the Museum of Modern Art's Education Fund-raising Gala and chairman of the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI), a standing committee of United Way Jamaica.

earned numerous awards

Her contribution to community development and the arts has earned her numerous awards, the most recent being the National Honour - the Order of Distinction, in August 2008.

She is also the recipient of The Gleaner Honours Award in art and culture and volunteerism; Woman of the Year (Business and Professional Women's Organisation); the annual Kiwanis Professional Achievement Award for culture; the Caribbean Academy of Arts and Culture Award, and the Bronze Award (Personal) from United Way of Jamaica.

She names Candi Hayden-Peart, her 'adopted' daughter, as one of her best friends. Candi, who recently completed studies in medicine in Cuba, is on internship at the May Pen Hospital and will be pursuing a career in community/public health.

Through the eyes of Candi, we learn of Pat Ramsay's infinite capacity to love, and the fact that she is an inspiration and a guiding light to many people, in particular, students at UTech. Candi also reveals that Pat's skills are not limited to the arts but that she is a great chef.

How did you meet Pat Ramsay, and how long have you been friends?

Aunt Pat and my father grew up together and their long friendship transcended to my brother, Brando, and me. Aunt Pat does not have children of her own but she has always thought of Brando and me as her own. In fact, there are a number of people whose lives she has touched, whom she has mothered or played the role as auntie.

My mother has been mentally ill since I was three years old so I never had a motherly relationship with her but Aunt Pat filled that void and has been the one to help me transition from adolescence to womanhood. The bond between us became stronger since 1996 when I entered university. She has been there when I needed advice about what to do with my life when I graduated and she has been supportive of the decisions I have made and has encouraged me to pursue my goals.

Tell us what you admire most about her and why you think you have remained friends all these years.

I admire her truthfulness. She's always realÉthere is no pretence with her.

I admire her capacity to love - she has an infinite capacity to love. It doesn't matter who it is or from whatever walk of life you are from, she just loves people and she is compassionate.

She's a guiding light and an inspiration to many young people. At UTech, many students will visit the gallery there just to sit and talk with her.

She keeps her mind open to life experiences and opportunities and I admire her strength. She is small in stature but Aunt Pat is big in life; she has been among many influential people in the world and she holds her own in any environment or situation.

Why we have remained friends? We love each other and we are always honest with each other.

Tell us something interesting about her.

Aunt Pat is a great chef! I mean a great chef like Norma Shirley (who is a good friend of hers). I used to hear stories about the many dinner parties she and uncle Ken used to have but because she doesn't cook that often I would tease her that she couldn't cook. One day she prepared a meal for me and I had to retract that!!

What are some of the things you talk about when you get together?

We talk to each other four or five times per week. We talk about marriage (she's always giving me advice on my marriage) and everything a mother would discuss with her daughterÉher wanting grandchildren, encouraging me to complete my internship and to make plans for the future.

Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with her.

When I was getting married (August 12, 2006); she walked me down the aisle, which was quite unorthodox. She was there to hold my hand when I became jittery at one pointÉthat hand grasp felt like a shot of whisky at that moment, and the words she said about me during her toast were so special. She spoke of how much she loves me and how much I mean to her. I am also happy that she has embraced my husband and they have a wonderful relationship.

Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of her and why.

Her strength and her spirituality. She believes that the energy of the universe flows through us and that we are all connected and that love connects us. Some people may say that her beliefs are unorthodox but they are in fact orthodox.

Another thing is that she does things from the heart and she touches people's lives because of the sincerity of her heart.

What are her favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?

It's hard to say but she is into eating healthy foods and she enjoys a fine glass of red wine.

Oh, definitely Jazz.

Tennis; she used to play when she was younger but now she watches the game.

Tell us the colour that you associate with her:

Yellow - signifying someone you'll never forget

Orange - signifying someone you consider your true friend

Red - signifying someone you really love

Green - signifying someone you has had a significant impact on your life

I would say all of them. She is definitely a rainbow. Aunt Pat is my mother, my friend, my sistren. She is a necessary and meaningful part of my life and I thank God for placing her in my life. She is my guardian angel, my inspiration and I know that she loves me. It is an unconditional love and affection and there's nothing that will change that.

Please send your feedback and comments to lobban_misha@yahoo.com.

Pat Ramsay (left) with Candi Hayden-Peart, her 'adopted' daughter, and one of her best friends. - Contributed photos

Lifelong friend Pat Ramsay (left), chairperson of Woman's Leadership Initiative, is simply 'Trish' to her girlfriend Susan Taylor, editorial director at 'Essence' magazine.- Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer