The Newallo siblings Juliette, Gerard, Keith, Yvette, Edweena and Christine got together from Trinidad and New York on September 16 to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of their parents, Kerry 84 and Cynthia 79, parishioners of St Dominic’s RC Church, Morvant.

A beautiful and touching Holy Mass ignited the celebration with Frs Dwight Merrick and Michael Cockburn concelebrating.

Parishioners, family and friends participated in the moving ceremony, with the St Dominic’s choir providing sweetly rendered music. Grandchildren Phillip and Marie-Angelique gave a stirring rendition of All I ask of you (taken from the Phantom of the Opera) for the meditation. A beautiful floral bouquet was then presented to Kerry and Cynthia by the Hospitality Committee of the St Dominic’s RC Church.

The Newallo family then proceeded to the Marriott Hotel for a delicious luncheon, interspersed with speeches by family members including sons-in-law Richard Hosein and Howard Dottin and a cri-de-coeur “thank you” speech from grandson Tyrone Brown, who with his two young sons and mother Juliette Dictter, came from New York just for the celebration.

Keith Newallo and son Nigel also flew in from Toronto for the occasion. Former daughter-in-law Marilyn Roopchand came in from New York too to reunite with family members, especially with children Marion Newallo and Elizabeth Gomes, as well as Edweena’s school friend Annette Julien, (“adopted” by the Newallo family) who flew in from Miami and spoke of her gratitude to them for being there for her always.

Cynthia’s bridesmaids of 60 year ago, Sheva Bailey and Sylvia Lashley were a delightful presence. Sylvia later reminisced, as did invitee Marjorie Boothman, on the friendship of young Cynthia, who Kerry “took over” from them, only to cause the friendship to expand and continue growing over the years. “Friend/adopted daughter” and family member, Diana Mc Intyre, gave a beautiful speech to the couple on the value of their love for others and how they touched her life.

Karl Boatswain, brother of Cynthia was master of ceremonies, while grandchildren Dax, Phillip and Marie-Angelique Cartar, accompanied by friend John Emmanuel, provided live entertainment, which accompanied the sticking of the cake and spontaneous dancing by the celebrated couple Kerry and Cynthia.

Daughters Edweena Newallo-Dottin and Christine Hosein were the chief organisers who ensured that the entire celebration went as smoothly as it did!