By Romario Scott From Jamaica Gleaner

Scores of mourners turned out yesterday to pay their final respects to Dr Vary Jones-Leslie, the obstetrician and gynaecologist who met her demise in The Cayman Islands last month, sending shockwaves throughout the medical community in Jamaica and the region.

Hushed moans echoed throughout the packed University Chapel on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in St Andrew as family, friends, and patients described the woman they fondly called Pam as a tower of strength.

Her heart-broken, long-time friend and colleague Dr Celia Christie, in delivering a tribute on behalf of the medical class of 1979, was overcome with emotion as she recalled how Jones-Leslie practised medicine with “Christian love and honesty”.

But her regret. “We are going to be having our class of ’79 reunion soon and I cannot believe Vary won’t be there,” said Christie under heavy breath and a cracking voice.

Jones-Leslie’s brother-in-law, Michael Juredini, gave the remembrance on behalf of the grieving family.

He, like everyone else who spoke, mentioned Jones-Leslie’s warm and caring personality, though he recalled how his wife (Winsome Juredini) got a thrashing from her while growing up.

Jones-Leslie, 62, who had practised at Andrews Memorial Hospital in St Andrew and the Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine, arrived in The Cayman Islands on July 17 when she was hit by a taxi just as she left the airport.

She was rushed to the hospital with what was described as serious injuries. She died two days later.

NOTE: This story has been update to identify Michael Juredini as Jones-Leslie’s brother-in-law and that Juredini’s wife, Winsome, received a trashing from Jones-Leslie while growing up not him.

IMAGE: Shorn Hector
Family and friends of Dr Vary Jones-Leslie paying their final respects at her thanksgiving service at the University Chapel on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in St Andrew yesterday. [Thu 3]

For more on this story go to: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20170804/profound-loss-doctor-killed-outside-airport-cayman-laid-rest