For those who are unable to attend in person, the family invites you to join virtually via the livestream link below:

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Lona Louise McDougall, nee Gentles, was born on August 13, 1939, in the May Hill District of the parish of Manchester, Jamaica, West Indies. She grew up with her adoptive parents, the late Albert and Cora Gentles in the parish of St. Andrew.

Lona received her early education at the Swallowfield Primary School in lower St. Andrew. She was an outstanding pupil who ranked in the top three in all her classes from "A" class through 6th standard. She passed the first, second and third Jamaica Local Examinations with distinctions.

In 1954, she was awarded a full scholarship to attend Kingston Technical High School. There, she continued to excel in her studies. She attained passes in all the academic subjects taken at the Ordinary and Advanced levels of the London General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE). She graduated with honors in 1958. Soon after her graduation, she began her training to a Post and Telegraph clerk. She worked in several post offices in different parishes in the Island for two years. She soon realized that she wanted to pursue her youthful love for teaching.
In January 1960, she entered Mico Teacher's College and began a course of study to become a teacher. She graduated with honors in 1962. She was offered an assignment to teach at Dinthill Technical High School in Linstead. This is where she met and fell in love with her husband, Allan. A three-year courtship followed their
commitment of love for each other. They were engaged in 1965. They decided to put marriage on hold, since they were both planning to pursue advanced studies in the United States.

On August 28, 1965, Lona and Allan left Jamaica and entered the United States on student visas. Allan went off to study Industrial Arts at Oswego State University and Lona enrolled as a Fine Arts major at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. After graduation, they tied the knot on July 27,1968. This union was blessed with two loving and dutiful
children - Michael and Shawnya. Both Allan and Lona worked long and tireless hours to raise and support their children. They, themselves, continued to enhance their own educational aspirations.

Lona received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute in 1968, a Master of Arts degree from New York University in 1973 and a Certificate in Educational Administration and Supervision from Queens College in 1990. In addition, she completed several other education graduate courses at Long Island and St. John's Universities. She was a member of the Education Honor Society - Kappa Delta Pi.

Lona was loved as a parent, friend and colleague by all those who came across her path. She was loved as an influential leader and educator, and she was adored as the "Mother of All Mothers". All of Michael's and Shawnya's friends soon became her children. They all called her "Mom".

Lona was an active Christian woman who served God and His church. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. Johns Mission Anglican Church in St. Andrew, Jamaica. Later, she joined a Baptist Church in Brooklyn while she attended Pratt Institute. The family home in Richmond Hill was purchased in 1974, and church membership was transferred to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran of Richmond Hill. Lona served in this church as chairperson of the Evangelism committee, secretary of the church council, chorister, lector, altar guild leader, communion assistant, president of the Women's Group and organizer / coordinator of various special events.

Lona loved her family. She loved to tell stories about her growing up years in Jamaica. Volleyball and high jump were two of her favorite athletic sports. She loved to travel, read, bake, sew and shop. She usually baked thirty to forty fruit cakes at Christmastime. Friends and relatives in Florida, Alabama, Eagle Bridge-New York, South Carolina and even Jamaica would eagerly await the arrival of Lona's Christmas fruit cake. Lona baked her own wedding cake and made her own wedding dress. When she went shopping, she would always return with three or four pairs of shoes.

In February of 1970, Lona joined the teaching cadre of educators of the New York City Board of Education. She taught English, Reading, Mathematics, Art, Social Studies and Home Economics at the Middle School level. Because of her extraordinary dedication, competence, loyalty, sense of duty and professional expertise, she soon rose through the ranks to become a staff developer / teacher trainer and then an assistant principal. She worked in the last assignment for ten years and then retired in 2004. Lona was a woman of principle, very disciplined, meticulous and organized. She demonstrated to her children by words and deeds that God was the pillar and central force in their lives. She taught them the value and importance of prayer, thankfulness to God, kindness and personal responsibility. She constantly stressed the importance of cleanliness. At age two, they both would tell you that Mom taught them that "cleanliness is next to godliness".

Lona was preceded in death by her husband, Allan. She is survived by her two children, Michael and Shawnya, her four grandchildren, Michael, Mikayla, Isaiah and Jayden, her daughter-in-law AnnMarie, son-in-law Marcus, and countless family and friends.