Jamaica Gleaner

FIFTY & FABULOUS Soiree

- Janet Silvera GLEANER WRITER

AT LEAST one friend who she shared her playpen with as a toddler, two from boarding school, Kiwanians, Rotarians, former Guardian Life colleagues and a husband born in The Bahamas were among the persons celebratin­g attorney-at-law Doneth Cartwright’s 50th birthday party.

Cartwright, who turned 50 on Saturday, May 20, was surrounded by 60 friends and family members, whose lives she has touched over the past half a century.

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CELEBRATIO­N

The ‘50 and Fabulous’ soirée, which was not just a cliché, transforme­d Spanish Court’s Valencia LM into a ballroom setting fit for a queen. Her plans to host a beach party at Frenchman’s Cove in Port Antonio, Portland, were derailed, but that did not stop this once-in-a-lifetime celebratio­n from reaching the apex.

In fact, Cartwright’s guests came to party, but not before they were privy to the fine-dining dinner experience and profession­al service delivered at St Andrew’s newest event venue.

When it came time to pay tribute to the birthday girl, the comments were inspiratio­nal, stirring and admirable. “She has this spirit of joie de

vivre, which allows us to call her friend. She is fiercely loyal, and always there when you need a

friend,” said her ‘bestie’, Ella Drummond-Hoyos.

Drummond-Hoyos added that what was most special about her friend of 38 years was her rich sense of humour.

Cartwright was described as a woman who carries her star quality wherever she goes, and this was confirmed by her husband, Mykul Cartwright, and her Bahamian friends. “She transforme­d fundraisin­g at our Rotary club and has that willingnes­s to help,” said Sandy Woodside, speaking on behalf of her Bahamian friends.

The team Cartwright worked with at Guardian Life Jamaica spoke of a leader who impacted their lives in a positive way. However, it was when her son, Damani Reid, stood up to speak that the birthday girl became emotional.

“She is caring, loving, respectful, patient, hard-working and very determined,” said her son.

 ?? PHOTO BY JANET SILVERA ?? Attorney-at-law Doneth Cartwright cuts her birthday cake with husband Mykul.
PHOTO BY JANET SILVERA Attorney-at-law Doneth Cartwright cuts her birthday cake with husband Mykul.
 ??  ?? Doneth Cartwright (left) enjoying her 50th birthday party with bestie Ella Drummond-Hoyos, Jamaica’s honorary consul in Barbados.
Doneth Cartwright (left) enjoying her 50th birthday party with bestie Ella Drummond-Hoyos, Jamaica’s honorary consul in Barbados.
 ??  ?? Kiwanian friends of the birthday girl (from left) Pauline Bowla Andrade, Merdina Callum, Lorraine Lewis and Enola Beharie.
Kiwanian friends of the birthday girl (from left) Pauline Bowla Andrade, Merdina Callum, Lorraine Lewis and Enola Beharie.
 ??  ?? From left: Peter Williams, Ella Drummond-Hoyos and Mykul Cartwright share lens at Doneth Cartwright’s 50th birthday party at the Valencia LM by Spanish Court in Kingston.
From left: Peter Williams, Ella Drummond-Hoyos and Mykul Cartwright share lens at Doneth Cartwright’s 50th birthday party at the Valencia LM by Spanish Court in Kingston.
 ??  ?? From left: Keisha Mitchell-Jackson, Allison Hutchinson and Michelle Wong-Sam.
From left: Keisha Mitchell-Jackson, Allison Hutchinson and Michelle Wong-Sam.
 ??  ?? Barron Ferguson is flanked by (from left) Bahamians Tanya Woodside and Diana Lynn Miller.
Barron Ferguson is flanked by (from left) Bahamians Tanya Woodside and Diana Lynn Miller.
 ?? PHOTOS BY JANET SILVERA ?? Our camera snapped Arron Pinder and Tamika Thompson at the party.
PHOTOS BY JANET SILVERA Our camera snapped Arron Pinder and Tamika Thompson at the party.

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