Dorothea Eloise Ellis was born on February
17, 1943, in Lionel Town, Clarendon, Jamaica,
the first daughter to parents Clifford and
Edna Ellis.
Raised in Palmers Cross, Clarendon, she
navigated her way through early education, a
journey which took her to Clarendon College,
Saint Monica’s Academy, and the University
of The West Indies, where she made many
lifelong friends with whom she remained
close over the decades, a testimony to her personality and character.
During her formative years, she learned many life changing lessons
from both parents. This thrust her in the role of caregiver for her
siblings who were both older and younger than she was.
Upon her mother’s death, she embraced the role of mother of the
family, a role she proudly played and relished in.
Her marriage to Linval Leiba produced three sons, Richard, Eric
and Easton, and a daughter, Jackie, whom she fostered and brooded
over with great love and affection.
It must be noted that she also embraced all her nieces and nephews
as her own children and ensured that all was well with them at every
turn. The entire family fell under her love and embrace. No one was
left out. This love was also shared with everyone who came under
her presence and she would champion the cause of anyone she knew.
As a Probation Officer, she advocated not only for justice of
her clients, but ensured that they were given the benefits of
rehabilitation and transition back into the society. Some of her
cases were famously called fairy tale cases as her Probation Reports
were made the subject of stories in the Gleaner newspaper and the
local media. Upon retirement from the Department of Corrections
as a Senior Probation Officer in 2008, Dorothea migrated to Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, where she wanted to spend time with her
young grandchildren, Erica and Justin. She became a Care Giver
working as a Nurse Aide for the elderly.
Her strength, conviction, and unwavering faith and religious beliefs
are an inspiration to anyone who has known her or heard of her.
A lifetime of an exemplary mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother,
counsellor, friend, confidant, stellar careerwoman, tower of
strength, and champion to everyone has ended; however, her legacy
will live beyond our generation.