Margarietta St Juste - More than a diplomat, a human being par excellence

Published: July 6, 2011, Jamaica Gleaner; July 7-13 North American Gleaner


 
“She was the kind of mother you would dream about,” recalls Brian St Juste of his mother Margarietta St Juste, as his voice trailed into a trance. “She was loving, caring but she was stickler for discipline, she never spoke ill or bad and always taught us to be respectful.”

Margarietta St Juste  

It were these traits of Margarietta St Juste, which earned accolades, friends and love from people across the board as Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, a position she served from 1993 to 1997. “She not only developed friendship among the Diaspora but with the with Canadians and worked towards the betterment of the people across the board.”

The much adored and respected St Juste died on June 28 in Kingston.  She was 75 years old.

‘Shock and disbelief’ were some the emotions described by the media as the news of her passing broke, “She shone and endeared a community to her, so much so that hundreds came out to bid her farewell when she demitted office in July 1997” the Jamaican state run news agency JIS wrote.

Accolades flow as people mourn the loss of one of Jamaica’s foremost public servant. 

Founder and former President of Arts and Culture Jamaica, Paula de Ronde, described her as someone who made everyone proud to be a Jamaican. “She was full of life and her thoughtfulness and dependability were legendary.  You could depend on Margarietta to do what she said she would.  She was real, genuine, practical, full of ideas, and if it was not for her, Arts and Culture Jamaica Inc. would not exist,” De Ronde said in an interview to JIS.

Margarietta St Juste was a people person; “She never discriminated,” Brian St Juste said, “she was always willing to help and she wouldn’t hesitate, she never looked at anyone’s status, she respected the human being.”

As the Counsel General in Toronto, she strived to elevate Jamaica’s image, reputation and also sought to defend the Diaspora’s reputation in Canada.

“She single-handedly motivated the Canadian-Jamaican community to challenge the stereotyping of our community by the Canadian media and worked tirelessly to bring about a better understanding, respect and acknowledgment of the diversity, creativity and contribution we have made to Ontario and Canada over the years,” former editor of The Weekly Gleaner, Gail Scala said in an interview to the JIS.

Margarietta St Juste served as the Regional Manager of the Jamaica National Investment Promotion (JNIP), then as the Trade Commissioner to Canada, following the formation of JAMPRO. She was appointed Consul General in 1993, prior to which she served as Deputy Consul General in New York for six months.

She leaves behind a rich legacy of top notch professionalism, humane traits and a Jamaican who strived to uphold values.

“She didn’t adjust to the new way of communication, neither the new fangled ways of language,” said Brian St Juste, who is a filmmaker. “Till the very end she would correct me with my diction, and at times write it down to correct me.”

She returned to Jamaica did event planning, primarily focusing on conferences and continued to touch the lives of the people she came across in many ways.

“My Mother has left an indelible mark on life and has shaped the individual that I am today,” said Brian. These emotions were shared by his brother Francois St Juste, general manager – radio services at RJR, “I have been truly blessed with a life long shower of love and lasting life lessons,” he said.

Juste is survived by her 102-year-old mother, two sons, Brian and Francois, several grandchildren, relatives and many friends in Jamaica and Canada. 

“She touched the lives of many people and was well loved by many more,” said Brian.