The Board of Management and Staff of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) are deeply saddened at the passing of beloved staff member Miss Germaine Raymond, who passed away at the National Chest Hospital in Kingston on September 3.
Miss Raymond, who at the time of her passing was the Artiste Liaison Officer within the JCDC’s Business and Product Development Unit, had served the Commission for thirty years, making her contribution to the promotion of our nation’s culture in various capacities.
Miss Raymond joined JCDC team in May 1991 as a Clerical Officer and would occasionally act as Registrar, overseeing records management in the absence of her supervisor. In May 2003 she was promoted to Events Officer and was charged with the coordination and execution of multiple national events. She would then later become the Artiste Liaison Officer, charged with the booking and promotion of all JCDC talents, as well as with the coordination of local and international artists for all national events.
During her three decades with the Commission, Miss Raymond worked tirelessly on the production of many JCDC events including the National Independence Festival Celebrations, the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, Heritage Fest, various national Floral Tributes, and state visits, including the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent in April 2013 and the State visit of their majesties King Juan Carlos 1 and Queen Sofia of Spain in February 2009.
Miss Raymond’s dedication to culture also saw her representing the Commission overseas at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation celebrations in April 2004. She would also later go on to pursue a postgraduate diploma in Event Management in England in October 2007, where she was able to work as part of the coordination team for the annual Notting Hill Carnival as part of her training programme.
Throughout her career, Miss Raymond received various commendations for her hard work and dedication to events management, most notable are those from
The late ambassador Elinor Felix, CD, JP who served as Chief of State Protocol at the Office of the Prime Minister, and from former JCDC Executive Director Miss Marcia Hextall.
Miss Raymond was recognized nationally for her “Long and Faithful Service”, on November 20, 2017, when she was awarded the Jamaica Civil Service Long Service Award.
“Miss Raymond’s passing has hit the Commission especially hard as she was not only a dedicated team member but she was also considered a beacon of light and positivity by most who came in contact with her; she was a beloved member of staff who openly treated her coworkers like family. Her presence and her light will not soon be forgotten, as she not only touched the daily lives of her colleagues but also those of our external clients and artistes with whom she worked,” said Mrs. Marjorie Leyden-Kirton Executive Directors (Acting) at the JCDC.
