You were the beautiful melody in the rhythm of our life. The music of your life lives on.
Obituary
The life of Una Eunice Wheeler nee Hart was a blessing, impactful, life-changing and awe-inspiring. Her strength of character, faith in God, clever wit, and driven nature shaped our family for generations as well as the other lives she touched, whether they knew it or not.
Her journey began on February 27th, 1926, in Kilmarnock, St Elizabeth, as part of a family of three brothers and two sisters, all of whom have predeceased her. She narrowly missed success in the Jamaica Local Examination – a devastating defeat but she remained undaunted. She occupied many roles in her professional life. She started as a domestic helper before her entrepreneurial spirit took hold in plotting the course of her life. From assisting her cousin in establishing their own business to being a shopkeeper, dressmaker and Farmer. She might not have had the classic tertiary education, but life became her school and she excelled with the best of them.
The next chapter of her life would be the most consequential when she met Daniel Augustus Wheeler. A native of St Thomas, her subsequent union to him on April 8, 1951, in Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Trinity Ville would make St Thomas her home for 50-plus years. She would mother five children, Lloyd, Albert, Lovelda, Hector and Leon.
With St Thomas now her permanent residence, she made the most of her adopted home, raising their family and managing the business side of her husband’s farming business. Her meticulous approach and business savvy, acquired over many years of on-the-job training would make a modest living for her children.
Throughout their upbringing, she would instil in them values that would prepare them for life: hard work, respect for others, respect for self and strengthening their faith in God. She was as committed, dedicated and supportive as a wife and mother could be, her own goal was to do the best she could for her children, to be able to have a better future.
Education was a part of that future and that was non-negotiable. Maybe it was partially because she narrowly missed out on success at the Jamaica Local Examinations that she was so adamant that her children succeeded She always believed that education is a reliable pathway to personal advancement, wealth and prosperity. If you had achieved a higher level of education, she wanted you to use it, embrace it, and own it. Because she knew that many people were not fortunate enough to reach those heights.
While her life involved joy and fulfilment, it also brought sorrow, as two of her sons, Lloyd the eldest and Leon the youngest predeceased her through tragic circumstances. Yet through the strife and heartache, she persevered, with her strength coming from God.
She was an active member of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, throughout most of her life and during her retirement she carried the same devotion and zeal to the Cedar Valley Assemblies of God, the Church just walking distance from her home. She served her Cedar Valley church family as a board member, treasurer, and deaconess, inspiring and encouraging others in their spiritual walk. Even when she was unable to travel in her later years, her church family would make sure she took communion, singing one of her favourite hymns, ‘Oh Happy Day’, which never failed to tug at her heartstring.
As ingrained as she was in the community in St Thomas, the same community embraced her with open arms. She would know everyone who came to her gate and would offer a comforting arm or an encouraging word that would be the guiding motivation for their journey.
Above all, Una always called it as she saw it. When she likes you, you know. When she doesn’t, you’ll know. And when she sees something that she knows is not right, you will hear about it. It is no wonder that her guiding philosophy has always been to “Aim High! Be the best that you can be.” Someone with that entrepreneurial spirit and drive had to succeed and therefore wanted you to succeed as well.
With Albert, Hector and Lovelda having families of their own, the Cedar Valley house was ground zero for celebrations, holiday trips and parties which would show another side of Una, the party type. It seemed that the joy of seeing her remaining children grow, taking charge of their own lives and having their children do the same was the validation of her hard work over the years.
Daniel and Una’s time together was one of strength, respect and dedication to their family and each other. Their journey together would end on June 14, 2005, when Daniel passed away at the age of 84. Her better half, her partner was with the angels, but the remainder of her life was still filled with milestones: high school graduations and university graduations of grandchildren, and even living to see her great-grandchildren who provided her with joy.
The latter years of her life were spent with her daughter Lovelda and her husband Robbie in St Catherine where she was welcomed by her community, with the same zeal as how St Thomas embraced her. She may not have been as mobile, but she still had that strong wit, honest assertion and faith which has seen her live through all of her 98 years.
It’s amazing how many events she has lived through. For all that she has seen, heard and felt, she has been guided by her steadfast faith. It was this faith that made her prepared for her final destination. She was called home on May 14, 2024, after a life that has been impactful and inspiring to everyone she touched.
Sleep in peace, you earned it.
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We haven't spoken in a while!!
You prepared us.... You prepared me in particular for your departure.. I knew you were ready to go and I thought I was ready to let you go. I was so sure I was ready! I even promised you I would not cry. This time I am so wrong.
Just want to let you know that I was deeply touched and inspired by the send off you got! Wow! I know you are pleased...very pleased. Your children, grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, friends, friends of your family and even strangers were all genuinely spontaneous with their love and support. Everything went smoothly without a hitch.
I know you were transitioned to a heavenly band. You left so peacefully and you left us with an aura of peace that I have never experienced before. This has been helping me through for now.
Take the rest you wanted!
I will come back here to write again!
Hector
One of my fondest memories of her was at Christmas time. We would bake using the dump and stir method, which I enjoyed so much. I appreciate the role she played in my life to make me what I am today. May her soul rest in peace and her memories continue to live on.
Sincere condolences to the family. Take comfort in knowing that Miss U lived a meaningful, impactful life. Treasure the memories. Blessed love.
Norma
With deepest condolences for the loss of matriarch Wheeler. Be comforted by the word of God during this unhappy season.
“And God shall wipe away tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away”. — Revelation 21:4
Let’s celebrate the life of Mother Wheeler and remember her in a happy way!
From: Minister Dawson
She will be sadly missed not just by her immediate family, but by everyone whose life she touched in a special way.
Service
We will come together to remember and pay tribute to a woman who has touched our lives so deeply. While we mourn the loss of our dear Una, we also aim to cherish the moments shared and the joy brought into our lives. Your presence would mean a great deal to us during this time of remembrance and reflection.
