Annabella Proudlock, a vibrant leader of the GSJ, St. Mary/Ann Chapter passed away on Valentine's Day, 2015. Needless to say, the news reverberated throughout the Georgian Society community as members keenly felt the loss.
Born in Wales, Annabella worked as a fashion model in London and moved to Jamaica in 1966. She was an artist, art collector, patron of the arts and Managing Director of Harmony Hall, a 19th Century manse, turned art gallery. In addition, she had a passion for The Georgian Society of Jamaica and upholded the organization's mission for the preservation, restoration and maintenance of Jamaica's historical buildings, monuments, artifacts, works of art, furniture and fixtures particularly those belonging to the Georgian Period (1720-1850).
Longtime Honourable Secretary of the Georgian Society, Pauline Simmonds provides background information on the key role that Annabella played in this organization as follows:
"In 1991, Geoffrey deSola Pinto, Co-founder of the Georgian Society in 1967, requested the late Dorothea Whitehorne to convene a meeting in Ocho Rios to start a Chapter of the Georgian Society of Jamaica. That was done by Dorothea, and Annabella Proudlock was one of the first persons she invited to participate. After a few meetings in 1991 and 1992, the Chapter was officially launched at the Hibiscus Lodge Hotel in July 1993 at which time Annabella was elected to the Executive Committee on which she served for many years. Geoffrey, Max Southby and I attended the official launch – Max and I as representatives from the St. James Chapter.
Annabella was elected Chairman of the Chapter in 2000/2001 following the death of the then Chair – Shirley Playfair.
I do recall her leadership role in getting the Chapter involved in the restoration of CLERMONT GREAT HOUSE near Highgate - a project which had been identified/adopted by the Nation Council and for which funds had been raised - the identification for restoration of the ROARING RIVER WATER WHEEL , the restoration of the OCHO RIOS COURT HOUSE and the ANNOTTO BAY BAPTIST CHURCH".
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Marina Delfos, Chairman of the Trelawny Chapter has a personal remembrance to share:
"I became a member of the Georgian Society back in 2007 and Annabella was leading the St. Ann/St. Mary Chapter by then, which was a very active Chapter with projects, field trips and events at Te Moana. Her approach was an inclusive one, and I even became a member of her Chapter at one point even though I was based in Falmouth and a member of that Chapter.
Annabella demonstrated how a Chapter should be run...organized with passion, dedication and fun. It wasn't just about outings, it was also about making a concerted effort to educate members about the importance of preserving Jamaica's Georgian heritage. She was never afraid to voice her opinion.
When I took over the Falmouth Chapter her support became invaluable and without it I am not sure how I would have managed. She helped to start the monitoring programme of the historic district by providing some funding from her Chapter, she attended an all important meeting with the then Executive Director and Chairman of the JNHT in Falmouth, she wrote letters about the plight of Falmouth, and she was always interested in what was happening even until very recently. In early January she asked how the 2014 Falmouth Fundraiser in December had gone.
Annabella was certainly an inspiration to me, with her knowledge, her commitment, and her passion for the things that really interested her. If it wasn't for her I probably wouldn't have started exploring Jamaica as much I do and with my maps in hand. She showed me her maps from the Survey Department when I told her one Sunday after an GSJ Executive Meeting at her house that I was on my way to explore with a friend in search of ruins, old houses, etc.
It was certainly a privilege to have known her and I know her presence will always be felt when it comes to the business of heritage in Jamaica".
_____________________
Wendy Lee, a member of the St. Ann/St. Mary chapter shares:
"A beautiful spirit has left this earth today. She was a friend, a lover of animals and nature, an artist, a generous giver of her time, resources and money to causes she believed in, a valued member of the local business community and the cultural life of her adopted island home, a wonderful wife and mother. Annabella, your kind and gentle presence will be sorely missed".
_____________________
Current Chairman, St. Ann/St. Mary chapter, Monika Maitland-Walker remembers that: "Annabella cared very much and organised many interesting trips and wonderful Christmas parties at her home for the Georgian Society. She will be missed".
_____________________
The members of the Georgian Society of Jamaica wish to express deep condolences to Annabella's husband, and 2nd VP of the Georgian Society, Peter Proudlock as well as her children, Sebastian and Jessica Ogden.
Born in Wales, Annabella worked as a fashion model in London and moved to Jamaica in 1966. She was an artist, art collector, patron of the arts and Managing Director of Harmony Hall, a 19th Century manse, turned art gallery. In addition, she had a passion for The Georgian Society of Jamaica and upholded the organization's mission for the preservation, restoration and maintenance of Jamaica's historical buildings, monuments, artifacts, works of art, furniture and fixtures particularly those belonging to the Georgian Period (1720-1850).
Longtime Honourable Secretary of the Georgian Society, Pauline Simmonds provides background information on the key role that Annabella played in this organization as follows:
"In 1991, Geoffrey deSola Pinto, Co-founder of the Georgian Society in 1967, requested the late Dorothea Whitehorne to convene a meeting in Ocho Rios to start a Chapter of the Georgian Society of Jamaica. That was done by Dorothea, and Annabella Proudlock was one of the first persons she invited to participate. After a few meetings in 1991 and 1992, the Chapter was officially launched at the Hibiscus Lodge Hotel in July 1993 at which time Annabella was elected to the Executive Committee on which she served for many years. Geoffrey, Max Southby and I attended the official launch – Max and I as representatives from the St. James Chapter.
Annabella was elected Chairman of the Chapter in 2000/2001 following the death of the then Chair – Shirley Playfair.
I do recall her leadership role in getting the Chapter involved in the restoration of CLERMONT GREAT HOUSE near Highgate - a project which had been identified/adopted by the Nation Council and for which funds had been raised - the identification for restoration of the ROARING RIVER WATER WHEEL , the restoration of the OCHO RIOS COURT HOUSE and the ANNOTTO BAY BAPTIST CHURCH".
________________________
Marina Delfos, Chairman of the Trelawny Chapter has a personal remembrance to share:
"I became a member of the Georgian Society back in 2007 and Annabella was leading the St. Ann/St. Mary Chapter by then, which was a very active Chapter with projects, field trips and events at Te Moana. Her approach was an inclusive one, and I even became a member of her Chapter at one point even though I was based in Falmouth and a member of that Chapter.
Annabella demonstrated how a Chapter should be run...organized with passion, dedication and fun. It wasn't just about outings, it was also about making a concerted effort to educate members about the importance of preserving Jamaica's Georgian heritage. She was never afraid to voice her opinion.
When I took over the Falmouth Chapter her support became invaluable and without it I am not sure how I would have managed. She helped to start the monitoring programme of the historic district by providing some funding from her Chapter, she attended an all important meeting with the then Executive Director and Chairman of the JNHT in Falmouth, she wrote letters about the plight of Falmouth, and she was always interested in what was happening even until very recently. In early January she asked how the 2014 Falmouth Fundraiser in December had gone.
Annabella was certainly an inspiration to me, with her knowledge, her commitment, and her passion for the things that really interested her. If it wasn't for her I probably wouldn't have started exploring Jamaica as much I do and with my maps in hand. She showed me her maps from the Survey Department when I told her one Sunday after an GSJ Executive Meeting at her house that I was on my way to explore with a friend in search of ruins, old houses, etc.
It was certainly a privilege to have known her and I know her presence will always be felt when it comes to the business of heritage in Jamaica".
_____________________
Wendy Lee, a member of the St. Ann/St. Mary chapter shares:
"A beautiful spirit has left this earth today. She was a friend, a lover of animals and nature, an artist, a generous giver of her time, resources and money to causes she believed in, a valued member of the local business community and the cultural life of her adopted island home, a wonderful wife and mother. Annabella, your kind and gentle presence will be sorely missed".
_____________________
Current Chairman, St. Ann/St. Mary chapter, Monika Maitland-Walker remembers that: "Annabella cared very much and organised many interesting trips and wonderful Christmas parties at her home for the Georgian Society. She will be missed".
_____________________
The members of the Georgian Society of Jamaica wish to express deep condolences to Annabella's husband, and 2nd VP of the Georgian Society, Peter Proudlock as well as her children, Sebastian and Jessica Ogden.
