A spotlight on nurses who contributed to our community by enhancing the practice of nursing in Bermuda

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Primary Contributor:
Cecille Snaith-Simmons S.R.N., S.C.M

FEATURED NURSE

JULIA  ROSALIE DEARS

When 5 year old Julia Rosalie Dears was a first year student at the Central School,  she was diagnosed by Dr. Howard Dickinson the family doctor, with Rheumatic Fever.  As a result, she spent three months in King Edward V11 Memorial Hospital.  At that very young age she observed the nurses and decided that she wanted to be a nurse too.   Her God Mothers -  Nurse Helen Richardson-Trott and Nurse Marion Vallis- Stovell - two respected nurses, were also driving forces in her career choice.

From ages of 5 to 7, Julia  was bedridden and cared for at home by her mother.  This did not impede her education as she was home schooled by Mrs. Howes, wife of the St. George’s Methodist minister who travelled by bus, thee times a week to teach 4 other children in the St. Monica’s area.  Julia still remembers her strutting with a purpose in her thick high heeled shoes to the various homes.

Rheumatic Fever in children, is an inflammatory disease and  autoimmune reaction that can affect the heart, joints, skin and brain, typically occurring in children 1-5 weeks after an untreated or under treated streptococcal infection. It primarily affects children 5-15 with the potential to cause lasting heart valve damage. 

Despite this serious illness she survived and was able to fulfill her dreams.

Julia attended The Berkeley Institute followed by a year at Cecile Musson-Smith’s Secretarial School.  She quickly found employment at the Supermart on Front Street and later the Liza Barrs, a Gibbons owned business.

On  her way home from work, she met a relative who informed her that her daughter was studying nursing in England. Julia questioned her ability to afford this great expense to which  she explained  that there was little cost as her daughter was being paid while studying. Julia found this interesting as she did not know this was possible. 

Inorder to study nursing abroad she had to be approved by Dr. V.O.D. King who referred her to Dr. Simon Fraser, the Chief Medical Officer who then referred her  to Ms Outerbridge, KEMH matron, for an interview. Following this, she was requested to  write a letter explaining why she wanted to become a nurse. Only then was she approved for training abroad at The South Western Hospital in Landor Road, Stockwell, South London, England.

In November, 1961 she travelled to England to begin her Enrolled Nurses’ Training.  As the plane approached Madeira it developed engine trouble and returned to Bermuda for repairs.  This delayed her arrival in London, however, she was met by a hospital representative who drove her to South Weston Hospital which was nestle behind iron gates in a charming village like setting with a security area at the entrance. 

Prior to her arrival she was informed that she was required to bring black stockings and black shoes. Measurements for her uniforms had been sent ahead.  A House Mother took her to her room where a suitcase with uniforms awaited her.

Julia was the second Bermudian to train at this hospital.  The first being the late Winifred Wainwright-DeAllie. Later they were joined by 3 other Bermudians.

In 1964 she returned to Bermuda for her sister’s wedding and took a ‘little hustle’ with Gibbons Company, her former employer. She recalled with admiration  Nurse Sally Cheape who not only worked at the Medical Hall but was also in charge of the Children’s Department of the Women’s Shop.  Mrs. Cheape was always immaculately dressed in a crisp white nurse’s uniform, cap and all. She was efficient, pleasant and an inspiration to Julia.  

During training in the U.K., Julia met  a U. S. Service man who was stationed at the RAF Milden Hall Base in Suffolk, England. During the courtship he was transferred to Travis Air force Base in Fairfield, Californian. Following the transfer he asked Julia to marry him and sent the ring by mail.  

Julia attaining her State Enrolled Nurses’ qualification  and  returned briefly to Bermuda. By this time fiancee had  relocated  to Detroit, Michigan where they married.

Between 1965 and 1966 she gave birth to her two sons who joined an older sister.  The family was complete. By a stoke of good fortune, 5 weeks after the birth of her first son Julia was offered and accepted a position as manager of a 42 unit apartment building which also provided  a 2 bedroom apartment.

It was at this point that Julia decided to return to nursing.  The British Enrolled Nurses’ Certificate was not recognised in America.  The other draw back was the fact that she had no certificate in Obstetrics and therefore could not work as a Liscenced Practical Nurse. She was referred to the Detroit School of Practical Nursing where she trained for six weeks at Harper Hospital, was liscenced by the State of Michigan and began working the 3 - 11 shift in 1968.

Julia’s objective was to become a Registered Nurse and towards that end she enrolled in Hyland Park Community College.  She attended two classes two days a week before going to work and one night class on her day off from Harper Hospital.  These classed combined with an eighteen month practicum would allowed her to obtain an Associates Degree in Nursing.

In 1974 she discovered there was an experimental class that would allow LPN’s to become Registered Nurses and in 1975 she enrolled in the CLMP ( Career Ladder Mobility Program) classes which took place 5 times a week from 8am - 3 pm. So determined was Julia to achieve her goal that she continued to work as an LPN from 4 - 12 in the week and 3 - 11 on Saturdays, occasionally this included a Sunday. By 1977 she had received her Registered Nurses designation. She had  worked at Harper Hospital for 8 years as an LPN and for 3 years as an RN taking classes, studying, working and raising a family.  

Harper Hospital in Detroit Michigan, often described as Motown, was in a busy industrial car manufacturing area where they were frequently confronted with devastating industrial accidents such as hands trapped and mangled in machinery.  To accommodate the workers the hospital provided plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as 24 hour physio and rehabilitation therapy.  There was also respiratory therapy an eye clinic and a psychiatric department.

Harper Hospital and Hutzel amalgamated to become the Detroit Medical Center which included Wayne State University. Her Obstetrical/Gynecological  Training was at Hutzel and her Psychiatric training was completed at Harbour Lights Out patient Center.

The opportunity to return to Bermuda arose when her sister noticed an advertisement in the Royal Gazette of May 1978 placed by the Chairman of Pembroke Parish Council - Mr. Ed Kelly.  The Pembroke Rest Home was seeking to employ a couple to manage the Home which at that time was managed by a Mr.& Mrs Andrews who were anxious to return to the U.K.

Julia applied for the position and returned home in October 1978 for the interview. She and her husband were interviewed as a couple by  Mr. Kelly and Mr. Erskine Adderley.  They were selected, relocated to Bermuda and commenced employment on the first day of March, 1979.  She became the first Bermudian Registered Nurse to manage one of the 5 Rest Homes on the island. The others were managed by Practical Nurses.

As an experienced  Registered Nurse she could immediately see how she could improve the living conditions of the 25 residents.  There were 13 men and 12 women. She immediately recognised that 2 of the men required more care than the Home could provide and requested their transferred to KEMH. This was a very challenging position however, her husband played a vital role in assisting in the successful  managing of the Pembroke Rest Home.

Julia became a driving force in the care of seniors and one of the founders of The Bermuda Nursing Home Association which met monthly with all interested Matrons of other facilities.  There was an obvious need for mentorship as well as to offer advice, support and to create a list of persons  found to be negligent care givers. 

In 2002 at age 60, Julia retired  after 24 years of exemplary and dedicated service .

Retirement was to elude Julia.  Her expertise and advice were constantly in demand and eventually she assumed a position at the Frances Telford Nursing Home.

Today, Julia Rosalie Dears remains committed to seniors and elder care. She is not only an advocate for them but  continues to be involved with others in need of advice within this community.

Cecille Snaith-Simmons

June,  2026

HARRIETT "SEEDIE" WILLIAMS

"My only regret is not being able to work at the KEMH"

Sometime after 1970 Harriet Williams published a 23 page booklet on her nursing and midwifery career entitled‘ Memories of the Past’. Although undated, the price on the cover was $3.00. Bermuda changed from sterling to dollars in 1970.

In 2005, during Nurses’ Month, Raymond Medeiros contacted me about a book he had in his possession written by the midwife who had delivered him in 1945. I had never seen it and so my husband and I went to his home to view this historical find which his wife had kept in pristine condition. Interestingly, Nurse Williams had also delivered my husband in that very same year.

Harriet Williams was the daughter of Marischal and Mary Jane Darrell Gilbert of Pembroke. In 1904 she married Ambrose Williams, described as a pilot and police constable, at St John’s Church, Pembroke. Two of their three children died in infancy leaving them with a daughter born in 1906.

Her granddaughter Alva Simmons, described as Bermuda’s Queen of Rock and Roll, was a noted singer who performed throughout Bermuda

Harriet Williams graduated in 1919 from the Chicago School of Nursing after one year of training as a practical nurse. She had been encouraged to study nursing by her brother who was a medical doctor practicing abroad. It is unknown why she decided to study nursing by correspondence when the Bermuda Nursing Home began training Black nurses in 1905.

The Chicago School of Nursing was a Practical Nursing Correspondence School founded in 1899.

Recorded at the beginning of the booklet is the following:

                                                     To whom it may concern

We are writing on behalf of Mrs. Harriet G.E. Williams who has completed our one year Home Study course leading to the qualification of Trained Practical Nurse. The course embraces the principles of Medical, Surgical and Obstetrical Nursing with special emphasis on the general care of the patient, of the sick room, diabetics, nursing sick children, first-aid, massage and gynecology. Incorporated with the course are home practice directions for all possible nursing procedures and twelve monthly written examinations in which Mrs. Williams earned an average grade of 91%. Because of her splendid work in completing this course which requires initiative, perseverance and a real desire to become proficient as a nurse it is a pleasure to recommend that Mrs. Harriet Williams be considered for any nursing work requiring a nurse of her qualifications.

Sincerely yours

Chicago School of Nursing

Louise Peterson ( Registrar)

In 1926, she applied the following letter to the General Board of Examiners in the U.S.A. Which stated :

 I, Harriet G.E.Williams am producing the Certificate which I hold for Inspections as requested. My birthdate is August 27th, 1887 also a certificate of good moral character. I have nursed 192 lying-in women and their infants for 10 days following labour. I have watched and attended the progress of 174 cases of labour and personally delivered the patients.

Signed: Mrs. Harriet Williams.

Three persons forwarded letters of Recommendation

Dr. L.J. Williams M.D. of Princess Street, Hamilton stated that he had attended several cases of labour and had found her to be an efficient and conscientious midwife.

Dr. Charles B. Wainwright stated that he had found her to be an able and conscientious midwife.

R.C.Hollis-Hallett, Barrister-at-Law, stated that he had know Mrs. Williams for 30 years as she had lived in the same portion of Pembroke Parish in which he resided. He recommended her as a person of good moral character, of excellent reputation and is highly respected by all who know her.

Following her certification Mrs. Williams worked in general nursing for awhile but decided she really wanted to specialize in midwifery. In 1921 she delivered her first baby girl in Tucker’s Town. When the doctor arrived she confessed that this was her first delivery, to which he responded, “if this is your first case, I can recommend you to anyone. The baby was named Harriett as a mark of gratitude to the midwife.

In 1927 government implemented legislation requiring all midwives sit and pass an oral and written midwifery exam in-order to legally practice midwifery in Bermuda. It is obvious that Nurse Williams was successful as she continued to practise midwifery, however, this exam had a devastating effect on the local midwives who had gained skills passed down from one generation to another. Sitting an examination was foreign to many of them. This resulted in a major shift to foreign nurses of the Bermuda Welfare Society who required their nurses have a midwifery certificate and a Queen’s Nursing Certificate which no Bermudian held at that time.

Midwife Williams travelled on a push bike visiting every delivery for 10 days postpartum. There were no street lights and often she was unable to contact her husband who was a policemen working in the western parishes and so she ventured off alone

The demand for her services was such that she decided to make additions to her home on St. John’s Road, Pembroke. Once completed she provided four beds and a private room while still continuing out patient services for women of both races.

In her booklet, Mrs. Williams describes several interesting cases but the one I found of great interest was the patient who was brought to her at midnight from KEMH.      She describes one nurse leading the mother up the hill while another carried the baby. In those days, if you did not pre-pay your hospital bill you could not be admitted. In this case the baby was born so quickly that they were forced to deliver and immediately discharge her.

Many girls came to her home with neither money for their confinement or clothes for the baby or themselves but still she took care of them until they were well enough to return to their homes.

Her fee for cases in the Central parishes was £2.00 and £3.10 for outlying parishes such as Southampton while confinement in her home was slightly higher. Very often her payment was a simple Thank You or a few vegetables. During her thirty one year career midwife Williams recorded a total of over seven thousand women of both races but, as she said in her retirement, “I tried to do my share for the community and never looked for any reward for efforts.”

In December 1935, her husband became ill forcing her to work even harder to make ends meet. In 1952 she had only 7 cases on her books and her own health began to fail and she decided to retire. In retirement she continued as an active member of the St. John’s Anglican Church, the Samaritans Lodge and the Household of Ruth which honoured her for fifty years of devoted membership. She also enjoyed the occasional bingo game.

In 1970 she was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour along with Sister Joseph Anthony who received the MBE at the same ceremony. Mrs Williams was delighted as she had brought the Sister into this world.

Due to declining health Midwife Williams, was admitted to KEMH where she remained for 2 year. While there she experienced the joy and pride of being cared for by assistant nurses - babies she had delivered.

When given the opportunity to speak with the younger generation of Nurses she hastened to remind them that a nurse is more than a cap and uniform - “always do your best to be nice to your patients.” She also added that often times patients complain about poor treatment when sometimes it is their own fault.

In the closing pages of her booklet Midwife Williams said,” If I had my life to live over, I would still be a nurse but my only regret is not being able to work at King Edward Memorial Hospital.”

Cecille Snaith-Simmons

With thanks to Mr & Mrs Raymond Medeiros for sharing, Memories of the Past by Harriett Williams.

Jazz of the Rock Part 11- Writer’s Machine 1978

Linda Abend and Lionel Simmons for assisting with the research.

MABEL GERTRUDE WHITE

“I Have Been Glad to Do What I Could As Best I Could.”

Nurse Mabel White was my grandmother’s midwife. The name has always been familiar to me mainly because my Uncle Howard was always late for Christmas dinner. His yearly excuse was that he had visited Nurse White to take her a Christmas present. She had delivered him in 1911, four days before Christmas and according to my mother, who was born in 1918, Nurse White always moved into the house to stay whenever one of her siblings was due and as a result, she was viewed as one of the family. She delivered all six of my grandparent’s children from the eldest on 1908 to the youngest in 1927.

Nurse White was born in 1878 and educated at the Collegiate Institute which later became The Berkeley Institute. In 1900 at the age of 22 she left Bermuda to study nursing at the Hampton Training School in Virginia, USA, graduated in three years and returned to Bermuda to begin her nursing career working privately as a nurse and midwife.

Hampton Nurses’ Training School, later known as the Dixie Hospital Training School, was a pioneering Nursing program established in 1891 at Hampton Institute - now Hampton University in Virginia, USA. It was one of the first programs in the USA to train Black nurses. It’s founder, Alice Maude Bacon was a social activist whose aim was to make professional medical care assessable and address the shortage of Black nurses.

It began in a 2 room facility with limited staff and a horse drawn ambulance.

In 1936 at the age of 58 Nurse Mabel White took over the helm of Cottage Hospital Nursing Home in Happy Valley, Pembroke. The building had to be renovated and enlarged to convert it from a police barracks to hospital purposes and although the year had not ended they had already delivered 86 babies.

 In the paragraphs below I quote from the book CARE written by J. Randolf Williams. I am quoting from his research of an interview in 1943 where Matron White revealed some of her own personality in explaining the life of a probationer:

Our nurses are not called upon to do anything unreasonable, but they are expected to abide by certain rules and not act like small children when things don’t measure up to their personal desire.

The custom of loud talking and laughing is not an asset to a nurse; the habit of moving and walking quietly is very becoming. Permission must be granted to be away at night. This is because of the necessity of reporting on duty early in the morning and because of the steady grind of the day’s work. Nurses must be in bed by 10.30 pm during the months of October to May and 11.00 pm during the summer months.”

The sacrifices nurses are called upon to make are few. One thing all must learn is that a patient’s needs are considered first and that from the time training has begun, self must be written with a small ‘s.’  

When interviewed in 1953, prior to her retirement at age 75 after a career spanning fifty years, she stated that conditions for practicing nursing and midwifery were different when she returned to Bermuda in 1903. Things were very difficult - few people had electricity; bathrooms were comparatively rare - things were generally rough and ready. Many people did not even have an efficient cooking stove. There was relatively nothing to work with and although she lived in St. George’s, she practiced in every parish except Somerset and recalled delivering girl triplets in Prospect and many well known citizens.

 At her leaving ceremony attended by The Governor, Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Hood , Sir Stanley Spurling Chairman of the Board of The Cottage Hospital Nursing Home stated that. “he had known Miss White all his life and believe me, it was not easy for a coloured person to find her way into a training school to learn to become a nurse. I would like to pay tribute to Miss White for her perseverance in obtaining entrance and qualifying. The success of this hospital is due to her splendid character and inspiring leadership - he had seen hallways full of cots - no one was turned away.” In closing Sir Stanley added that she had brought some of his own children into the world.

Matron White was acknowledged and decorated by the British Red Cross Society

and in 1949 awarded the MBE for services to the colony. 

On 26th December, 1975 Nurse Mabel Gertrude White died, leaving a legacy of superior leadership for local Nurses trained under her guidance at the Cottage Hospital Nursing Home in Happy Valley, Pembroke, Bermuda

IVENA LAURENCEO, SRN, SCM, HV, BSC, MA, MSC

Ivena Laurenceo is an unassuming humble person who carries herself with an air of professionalism and dignity.  Although I worked with her at the Ministry of Health and have maintained a friendship since we met in 1972, I had no concept of her achievements in further education.   I should not have been surprised, as her maiden name is Furbert and she is a descendant and sibling of many of Bermuda’s exemplary educators and trail blazing nurses. Nursing and Education are part of her genetic make up. 

Ivena completed her Cambridge School Certificate at the Berkeley Institute in 1955 and at the age of 16 began teaching at the  Victor Scott Primary School.   Later she was transferred to her Alma Mater - The Francis Patton Primary School.  Her teaching ability was observed, and she was offered a government teacher’s training scholarship which she respectfully declined.  Ivena, wanted to be a nurse and from an early age could be seen administering first aid to her siblings with a skill beyond her years. It seems she was destined to be a nurse. 

Ivena Furbert entered  Charing Cross Hospital, London in 1957 and  completed her training as an SRN and remained there for a year as a staff nurse. Inorder to obtain the Charing Cross Medal, nurses had to remain at the hospital for 4 years.  This medal is very distinctive as it is a replica of the George Cross.  The King gave permission for it to be used as a reward for the exceptional care the hospital gave to one of his valued cavalry men who had suffered an injury as a result of a fall from his horse.  

Charing Cross hospital was established in 1818 but closed in 1973 when the new Charing Cross (Fulham) was built.  Today the old Charing Cross hospital building houses the Charing Cross Police Station. 

It was in 1960,  while studying at the Westminster Reference Library  that she met Jamaican, Don Laurenceo who was studying philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.  They married two and a half years later at St. Martin’s in the Fields Church described as an architectural jewel sitting at the corner of one of the world’s most famous squares. 

Just prior to her marriage in 1962 Ivena completed her SCM Midwifery qualification at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies and Woking Maternity Hospital. Surprisingly, she made a professional change - she joined St. Luke’s Woodside Psychiatric Hospital as a Psychiatric Charge Nurse where she remained for 6 years - working a year on the day shift until their twins were born. Following the birth of the children  she returned to work on night duty for 5 years.  Ivena laughingly describes the birth of her twins as Part 3 midwifery. 

In 1969 she completed a year at North Western University, London, where she attained her  Health Visitor’s  Certificate and then moved on to work for a year as a Health Visitor in the London Borough of Barnet. 

When the family  moved to Jamaica in 1970,  Ivena was employed as the Public Health Nurse in Charge of the Harbour View Health Clinic. There was a doctor in attendance once a week and daily she was greeted by people who had walked for miles to attend. One year later she was asked to set up an outpatient immunization clinic at the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston. She describes these two experiences amongst the highlights of her career. 

The Bustamante Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in the English speaking Caribbean. It had been a British Military Hospital but following the departure of the British it was transformed into a children’s hospital after Jamaica’s Independence in 1962 and named after Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante.  

In 1972, the young family  moved to Bermuda where Ivena commenced employment as  a Health Visitor  covering the three eastern parishes.  In 1990 she was selected as Government’s Health Promotion Coordinator. She had equipped herself for the position by gaining a BSc in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Maryland, Summa Cum Laude,  as a part time student.  She attained an ISM Diploma in Supervisory Management from the Bermuda College and a MA from Webster University in Management and Human Resources Development.  She also has a MSc in Education Counseling from Indiana University. It is worth noting that Ivena completed her further education as an evening student or in her summer holidays.  

The position of Health Promotion Officer Ivena explains,” was and still is an important part of the overall health delivery system in a well ordered society.  It allows individuals to be proactive as they improve and increase control over their health.”  She was the first to implement Bermuda’s first island wide comprehensive Health Promotions program from 1990 - 1993. 

Dr. & Mrs. Laurenceo are believers in life long education.  While Ivena was completing her degrees through evening classes, Don completed his Phd in Finance at Columbia University in New York.  Both of their children returned to Bermuda following further education. Their daughter Katherine (deceased) graduated from Howard University with an honours degree in Music Education and returned to Bermuda as an educator.  Their son  Don Jr  is a corporate lawyer while his Jamaican born wife Novia, is an architect.   They have been blessed with 2 grandsons. 

Over the years Ivena has attended numerous health education and health promotion courses in Canada, USA, England and Jamaica as well as seminars on AIDS prevention, Smoking cessation, healthy heart and other public health topics. She believes that to be more effective at work it is important to continually upgrade your skills and knowledge. 

Ivena’s wealth of knowledge and expertise led her to accept the position of Adjunct Lecturer for the evenings  classes for Geriatric Aide Certificate Program at the Bermuda College  from 1983 - 2003. 

In 1993 the Ministry of Education selected her to fill the position of  Home/School Guidance Counsellor  covering the Lyceum and St. George’s Preschools, St. David’s Primary, East End Primary and Francis Patton Primary schools.  She  held this position until her retirement  

in 2003. 

The Laurenceo’s have travelled extensively. They have visited Africa 6 times and for many years have supported and continue to support an orphanage in Ghana. She has walked the Great Wall of China, visited Japan and many other countries closer to home. 

Mrs. Laurenceo is an accomplished seamstress and in years gone by made all the clothes for her children and herself. She is a very spiritual person who grew up worshipping at the Crawl Gospel Hall.  The Laurenceo’s now attend the Harrington Sound Gospel Chapel where Ivena is the church pianist. She devotes time  to  gardening and  reading The Bible daily in her quest to  gaining a greater understanding of its principles. They have been members of the Gideon’s International for 45 years and  Dr. Laurenceo is the National Director of Gideon’s International. 

In 1970 the Laurenceo’s founded The Sickle Cell Foundation as a support group for people and families in Bermuda affected by Sickle Cell Disease.  They, along with others, were able to  fundraise and provide scholarships at the Bermuda College for those diagnosed with the Disease.  In  2015 they were recognized for their outstanding contribution to Bermuda and the Sickle Cell Community. 

It has been a privilege to write about this outstanding nurse who, along with her husband, have contributed so much to this community 

Cecille Snaith-Simmons SRN, SCM 

October 2024 

RACHEL ELIZABETH MILLER, SRN

May is the month dedicated to our heritage and our nurses. There are few of us remaining from my generation of nurses and so I write with haste to remind Bermuda of those departed nurses who worked to educate the public in an effort to ensure that we maintain our health standards.

Rachel Miller better known as ‘Beth’ will always be remembered as the jovial school nurse who saw the humour in almost everything. The Health Department staff room would be filled with laughter as she recounted her daily encounters. School children loved her and mothers who attended her Health Department Well Baby clinics left feeling more able to cope than when they entered.

Beth grew up on Radnor Road, Shelly Bay. She attended The Central School where her mother Celeste was a teacher, and later transferred to the Ord Road School where her father Gerard Bean, was the Principal. From there she went on to the Berkeley Institute where she excelled in academics and athletics.

In Nellie Musson’s book - Mind the Onion Seed, Beth is describes as an all-round athlete who participated in almost every available sport open to women. Mrs. Musson wrote that she could out run, out jump and out catch everyone. She did not enter the World Olympics in 1958 because, as she said, she enjoyed sport but did not consider herself a keen competitor. In the 1960’s there was no promotional activity designed to prepare Black athletes to become world performers and so the thought of entering World Games never entered her mind. Her love of all sport, mainly track and field, cricket and football remained throughout her life.

She left Bermuda in the early 1960’s to study general nursing at St. Giles Hospital in London. St. Giles Hospital closed down in 1983 and the circular tower part of its structure is now a grade 2 listed building which has been converted for residential use. 

In 1964 she married Barbadian - Ezra Keith Miller in England and returned to Bermuda where they raised their two children, Fiona and Fitzgerald.

Beth began her local career at MAWI when it was known as St. Brendan’s Hospital. From there she moved to the Department of Health where she is remembered as one of the nurses who successfully fought for the unionizing of nurses. She was also part of the team that amalgamated the two racially segregated nurses’ associations now known as the Bermuda Registered Nurses’ Association.

She was the school nurse for Dellwood, Prospect Primary, The Central School and the Berkeley Institute. She was responsible for the Brangman Home and had a particular soft spot for Miss Brangman and the children under her care. She could not bear to see seniors isolated and often took them for rides and grocery shopping. In actual fact, Beth had a passion for caring for anyone in need. Towards the end of her career she was a district nurse then branched out into relief work at Lefroy House, the Packwood Home and in the offices of Dr. Ewart Brown, Dr. Terry-Lynne Emery and Dr. Constance Richards.

I met Beth when we were students at the Berkeley Institute. She was always up to some sort of mischief which usually led to her being reprimanded. Somehow, this never changed her adventurous streak. Years later, we met again as members of the Bermuda Graduate Nurses Association. At that time they met monthly at the homes of the older nurses and as we were the two youngest we usually ended up in the kitchen washing the dishes - a frightening experience when Beth was involved. The china was of the most delicate variety and dish washing was definitely not one of her skills.  At work, she never failed to do something to upset our senior nurse Miss. Iris A. Davis or IAD, as Beth fondly called her, behind her back.

Twice a year we were allowed new uniform shoes selected by Miss Davis from H.A& E. Smith’s. If you knew Miss Davis you would know that her choice was not aesthetically pleasing. They might have been comfortable but they certainly had no style. One particular summer, Beth decided she would exchange her shoes for something a little more sporty. She singled out an unsuspecting young sales associate and quickly exchanged them. The manager immediately contacted Miss Davis regarding Beth’s unauthorized exchange and there she was, ready to confront Beth about her unexplained absence from work and the unauthorized shoe exchange. Hoping she would not be missed, Beth raced back to the Health Department where she made an error in judgement, struck the curb and burst a tire. Now she was in far more trouble. We never got to see her personal shoe selection and like the rest of us, she was resigned to wearing those,’ Kaddidle Hoppers’, as she described the official government supplied shoes.

In the 1980’s Beth completed a public health school nursing course at the Colorado School of Public Health. Another course she found most fascinating was in Carville, Louisiana, USA. This was the location of the first and only Leprosarium in the United States exclusively devoted to the care and treatment of Hansen’s Disease, more commonly known as Leprosy. I am unsure as to why she was sent on this course as the last reported case of Leprosy in Bermuda was reported in 1950.

In retirement she joined the Sunshine Garden Club, became a care giver for her mother and involved in the activities of her grandchildren.

In 2018, my dear friend and colleague, Rachel Elizabeth’ Beth’ Miller died in KEMH at the age of 75.

Cecille Snaith-Simmons

 Nurses’Week 2024



SANDRA W.A.ALLEN  SRN, SCM 

May is Nurses’Month and once again I am writing on the lives of nurses often forgotten and unacknowledged. Hopefully, throughout this month I can share some of their lives. 

When I returned to Bermuda in 1967, Sandra Allen was already working in St. George’s as the second Bermudian district nurse/midwife employed by the Bermuda Welfare Society. She joined Nurse Leonie Harford whom they had employed in 1963 and later I joined as the district nurse for Smith’s Parish. It took 38 years before this organization saw fit to employ Bermudian nurses.  

Whenever Sandra and I had time off we would meet at the Lobster Pot or the Penthouse on Burnaby Street to catch up on our personal lives, our patients, or our days at the Berkeley, where she was often reprimanded for her outspoken questioning of authority. But above all, we discussed our future as nurses in an environment that was not always welcoming to local nurses of colour.  We saw the need for greater change and we were willing to take risks. Sandra was determined to own her own home and began to use her free time as a telephone operator at the Bermuda Telephone Company.  She achieved her dream, when she purchased a condo in Cavendish Heights. 

Sandra Allen was the daughter of political activist Wilfred Allen and his wife Inelda Castle-Allen.  Infact, her father was a founding member of the Progressive Labour Party.  Sandra attended the Ord Road School and the Berkeley Institute before following the path of many young black women who, during those early days, went off to England to study nursing and midwifery. She completed her general training at St. George’s General Hospital in Essex before moving on to train at the oldest and most prestigious maternity hospital in Europe, Queen Charlotte’s Maternity Hospital in London, founded in 1739 and named for the wife of King George 111. 

The Hon. Joan Dillas-Wright, a close friend of Ms. Allen, completed her general training at the same hospital.  Together they indulged their sense of adventure and travelled extensively throughout England and the European Continent.  They attended concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and the Palladium. They explored their interest in politics by frequenting Speaker’s Corner at Hyde Park and often attended social functions held by the West Indian Association.  It was during this period in her life that she became exposed to political discussions with interesting citizens of the world, particularly from Africa and the Caribbean. 

In 1969 Sandra resigned her position as the district nurse/midwife for St. George’s and accepted a position at KEMH where she remained until her retirement. Initially she worked on the Maternity Ward which was stifling for her as only doctors delivered the babies and midwives delivered when a doctor was delayed and did not arrive in time. Becoming frustrated, she moved on to other nursing roles in the hospital and over time progressed to the role of nursing supervisor and Assistant Director in charge of Continuing Care. 

Sandra joined KEMH when there was a lack of upward mobility for Bermudian Nurses. They were highly trained, possessed the required qualifications but were continuously passed over.  Bermudian nurses discovered that vacant senior positions were not being advertised and foreign nurses were being selected for these positions.   

Sandra grew up in a very political home and knew that complacency was not the answer. She became a driving force in rectifying this situation. She, along with several nursing colleagues became the catalyst for the necessary change in the treatment plaguing local nurses working at KEMH. She was outspoken and fearless - qualities necessary to create change.  Together they protested and eventually their demands were met.  One of these changes required all nursing positions be advertised. 

Reading was one of Sandra’s many interests.  She found the work of Deepak Chopra particularly enlightening and submersed herself in Transcendental Meditation.  She was fastidious in her personal appearance and always exuded elegance. She enjoyed the company of friends and entertained regularly.  Her baking skills were unsurpassed.  

Despite her painful struggles and surgeries for an arthritic condition, Sandra continued to enjoy playing tennis which, whenever possible, became a part of her Saturday morning routine. Her love of tennis was such that one year she attended the U.S. Open. Her diet was very important, and she adhered to one which related to the suppression of her arthritis.  She even travelled to a holistic centre in Mexico to become more knowledgable about the best diet for her medical condition. 

She enjoyed travel and always encouraged friends to join her as she visited Brazil, many Caribbean Islands and the American continent. Her friend Meredith Smith recalled their trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico where they indulged in a mutual love of Native American history, art galleries, museums and the culinary scene. In later years they travelled to attend a Breast Cancer Conference in South Africa. 

Upon her retirement she became a volunteer for the Red Cross and the Administrator for the Matilda Smith-Williams Home. 

I was surprised when she accepted a position as the nanny for a little girl. She just did not seem the type to have the patience for childcare, but Sandra explained that this was one experience in life she had missed and wanted to experience the joy of caring for a child.  What fun they had together, visiting the Aquarium, the Agricultural exhibition and all the activities involved in looking after a little girl. She felt that this experience helped her to see the world in a different light, through the eyes of a child, and she loved it.  Eventually she moved on to the Bermuda Housing Trust where she was the support services co-ordinator. 

 Sandra Allen was the consummate professional who will always be remembered for her straightforward no nonsense attitude and her willingness to mentor others.  She always gave of her best and expected everyone working with her to deliver a stellar performance. 

Sandra Allen died in 2021 at the age of 80. 

Cecille Snaith-Simmons 

May, 2024  

(Nurses’ Week 1) 

JANE ANNE ROBINSON

Jane Anne Robinson was born in Prospect, Devonshire on the 5th August, 1901 to Charles and Estelle Robinson. She had three brothers. Her father was a private in the West Indian Regiment, often described as The Bully Roosters, because of their colourful uniforms.When the British Garrison was about to depart Bermuda in 1899, the 1st Battalion of the West Indian Regiment, a division of the British Army, arrived to replace them. They were men of color from many islands in the British Caribbean and arrived in Bermuda after service in the African Boer War. Many Bermudians assumed that because the were coming from Africa they were Africans and where shocked when they heard them speak English. In 1913 at the age of 37, Charles Robinson died. Jane’s mother Estelle Layne -Robinson died in 1944 at the age of 78.

Jane Robinson has been described as a quiet spoken, dark skinned, portly woman who wore glasses. She was kind and humble with a smile that put everyone at ease. She trained as a nurse and midwife at the Bermuda Nursing Home on Curving Avenue and devoted her entire life to midwifery and caring for the sick. In 1927 her name is recorded as the fourth midwife registered to practice in Bermuda and is credited with delivering hundreds of babies in the Devonshire and Happy Valley area. A report in the Bermuda Recorder noted that from the completion of her training she had been on call day and night to the entire parish of Devonshire and the surrounding districts.

A detailed description of Jane Robinson’s attire was gleaned from a recent conversation with Miss Ruth Thomas MBE. Nurse Robinson she said, was always immaculately dressed in a snowy white uniform with a white nurse’s cap perched securely upon her head and in the winter she wore a black cape with a red lining over her uniform. In her hand she carried a black medical bag in which she carried her bandages and medications. Upon her feet were perfectly polished black laced up shoes with a Cuban heel, often described as ‘believers.’ Her mode of travel was by foot or on her bicycle.

Many of her deliveries took place in the Zuill’s Range which was part of the North Devonshire Apartments commonly called, ‘The Incubator’ because of the congested living conditions occupied by the 12 tenants and the number of babies born there. The origins of this, now demolished building are unclear, but it is known that in the 1920’s it was owned by Eugenius Foggo Zuill who housed his agricultural workers in the building.

Delivering a baby in ‘The Incubator’ must have been challenging for Nurse Robinson as there was no plumbing until 1975 when basic plumbing was installed by Sir John Cox.

In 1930 a British Naval Officer and his wife were completing a tour of duty in Bermuda. They befriended Nurse Robinson and requested that she deliver their first child.

On the 5th August, 1930 she delivered their daughter at the Nursing Home on Curving Avenue. She was born on Nurse Robinson’s birthday and surprisingly, they named the baby Jane Robinson Montgomery and requested she be her God Mother. The family left Bermuda in 1933 but kept in contact. Twenty one years later, Jane arrived back in Bermuda to spend her 21st birthday with her God Mother and namesake. 

Jane Robinson Montgomery, the daughter of Lieutenant and Mrs. W. Montgomery, was now living in Nashville, Tennessee and following in the footsteps of her Godmother, was training as a nurse in Jacksonville, Florida. Her father, who had been well-known and respected by the Bermudian community had died during the war in 1941. To celebrate their birthdays, Nurse Robinson held a dinner party and invited 30 of the young men and women of all races and nationalities whom she had delivered. It was a most auspicious occasion only marred by the fact that Miss Montgomery had to leave Bermuda the following day to return to her studies.

In 1940 she began employment as the Matron of the Devonshire Rest Home which at that time was housed in a walled in area beside The Incubator.  She was also on call throughout the parish for various illnesses and retained one room at the Home for delivering babies. She held that position for twenty years.

Mrs. Helen Wilkinson-Bartley, was delivered by Nurse Robinson in 1939 and recalled she had delivering all of her mother’s seven other children. In 1954 she was delivered of her first child in that special room in The Rest Home. Nurse Robinson delivered five of her nine children. Mrs Wilkinson-Bartley still fondly remembers the loving comfort, patience and care she received. She will never forget the unpleasant mixture of Epsom salts and orange juice administered as a laxative prior to every delivery. For anaemia she prescribed the drinking of Milk Stout as often as three times a day. After each delivery she remained in bed for 4-5 days with her abdomen bound with unbleached cotton. Once she was allowed up she was advised to wear a light weight girdle to support her muscles. She was able to go home after seven days but Nurse Robinson continued to check on her well being and that of the baby for several weeks.

Several of the women interviewed had been born in the early forties, either in that special room at the Devonshire Rest Home, in the apartment complex know as the Incubator or in the Happy Valley area. Many remember her genuine kindness, especially to the very poor; her cake making skills and the parties she held at The Incubator every summer for mothers and children whom she had delivered. She is also remembered for her love of flowers, her garden and her dog, Pugh.

Nurse Jane Anne Robinson, a Bermudian Treasure, of Friswell’s Hill, Devonshire , died of pneumonia in 1981 at the age of 79.

Contributed by:

Cecille Snaith-Simmons

For week 1 of Nurses Month, May 2023

With special thanks to Ruth E.Thomas MBE, JP; Helen Wilkinson-Bartley, Annette Simmons, Linda Abend and Ellen Hollis of the Bermuda National Library.

References:

The Bermuda Recorder, August 195; 5th August 1966

Royal Gazette, 18 December, 1955             

Fame, April 1963

The Bermuda National Trust Architectural Series - Devonshire, 1995

Mosaic, July 2011 by Ruth Thomas MBE. JP           

THE HONORABLE JOAN DILLAS - WRIGHT, J.P., MBE, SRN, SCM, RMN, BA, MSc,

I am truly honored to share with you the remarkable career of my friend, The Hon. Joan Dillas - Wright. MBE, JP. Throughout her entire life, she has exhibited the tenacity and determination to succeed yet remains so humble that even I, her friend of over forty years was unaware of her numerous accomplishments. Joan Dillas-Wright grew up in Ingham Vale, Spanish Point, where many families were related. Joan is the second of 6 children born to Eldon and Inez Dillas. She attended the West Pembroke School before moving onto The Berkeley Institute where her high school education was interrupted after one year due to the illness of her mother. During an unfortunate era in mental health care, her mother was diagnosed with Puerperal Psychosis, hospitalized and separated from the family for many years. At that time, the psychiatric hospital and staff lacked the medicine, training and capacity to adequately care and treat patients with this diagnosis, and mental illness generally.  Many family members offered to adopt the children individually but her father was determined to care for them himself . He was not only a loving father and disciplinarian but also an excellent cook and baker. Fortunately, his sister Edith lived in the family homestead next door and assisted him with the children.

Leaving the Berkeley prematurely did not stifle Joan as she was a voracious reader who was never seen without a book. Education was important to her parents and before long she was enrolled in Merle Brock-Swan’s Night School (now the Adult Education Center) where she studied Math, English and Typing. She also received extra tuition from Olga and Leroy Simons of Cobb’s Hill as well as Elizabeth Isaac to whom she is eternally grateful. To supplement the family income she worked many jobs, from child minding to cleaning houses to ironing clothes, particularly the suits and fatigues of the Kindley Air Force Base Officers and Airmen. At one time she worked in The Straw Factory on Angle Street. The straws, infused with strawberry, chocolate and vanilla were to flavor the milk as you sipped through them. The business was not a success and closed after 18 months. Joan had always harboured ambitions of becoming a nurse. Her cousin Helen Stowe-Lambe operated a nursing home at Cox’s Hill and she had often assisted her. Finally, there was an opportunity to work at King Edward Hospital as a maid on the Male Ward which she readily accepted. Two nurses, the late Jacqueline Lightbourne MBE who went onto become Chief Nursing Officer in the Department of Health and Barbara Wade, who was employed in 1958 as the first black nurse employed at KEMH, noted her interest in nursing and took her under their wing. She was encouraged to observe the dressing of wounds and the administering of injections. These nurses saw her potential, gave her the addresses of training hospitals in England and recommended she write Dr. Simon Fraser, The Chief Medical Officer, for permission to study in England. All her applications were successful but she selected King George Hospital because it offered the earliest placement in March 1961. Her father was delighted and assisted her financially every week in save for her ship’s passage from New York to England. She was due to travel from Bermuda with another nursing student but at the last minute the other student was unable to travel and Joan’s father was adamant that she not travel alone. Fortuitously, a cousin Lorraine Dyer-Bizek, a well respected and qualified Nurse/Health Visitor was at home on vacation. Joan’s father met with her and she became her guardian angel. She gave Joan all the skills needed to survive away from home - information on nursing and living in England. On the day of admission she accompanied her to the hospital in Ilford, Essex where her nursing career began. At King George Hospital she met another Bermudian - the late Sandra Allen who had begun her training three months before Joan arrived. They were the only Bermudians for the entire three years of training. Joan felt she would require additional course work as she did not possess a high school diploma. The instructors did not feel this was necessary and she excelled, receiving the Frank Warrener Shield for achieving first place in the Preliminary Training School. Determined to succeed, Joan maintained this level of excellence throughout her training. As a bonus she received £100 from the Bermuda Nurses’ Association, a division of the Friendly Societies.

Years later when she returned to Bermuda to work for the Bermuda Hospital Board she saw Merle Brock-Swan, her former teacher and mentor. She enthusiastically informed her that following the interview with Dr. Simon Fraser all those years ago, he had informed her that he knew she would ‘go far.’ In 1964 she became a registered nurse (SRN) and by 1965 had completed her midwifery training achieving her SCM from Rochford Maternity Hospital, Essex, England. One of her career plans was to work in Ghana and toward that end she completed several relevant courses while still maintaining full time employment. In 1968 she received a Family Planning Certificate from the International Planned Parenthood Federation while working as a Nurse/Midwife at King’s College Hospital, London. She held this position from 1966-1969 until she was appointed Senior Nurse/Midwife at Guy’s Hospital, London In 1972 she received a Certificate in Tropical Diseases from University College Hospital, London. During the period from 1972 - 1975, Joan was employed by St. Thomas’ Hospital, London as a Staff Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. In 1975, her plans still revolved around employment in Ghana and she continued to prepare herself by adding a diploma in Parent Craft and Child Care from The Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene.  While finalizing her plans to move to Ghana, she decided to return to Bermuda in 1975 and assumed the position of Staff Nurse at Cedars Rehabilitation Unit which provided nursing and psychiatric care to long stay patients. This experience resulted in her desire to return to England to train as a Registered Mental Nurse (RMN). She entered the Claybury Hospital, Woodford, Essex and by 1976 added the RMN designation to the two others she already held. 

Ghana’s loss was Bermuda’s gain. She returned to Bermuda where her career developed from a Junior Charge Nurse to a Charge Nurse, then onto Mental Welfare Officer working in the Psychiatric Outpatient Department and Community to Chief Alcoholism Counselor/Administrator at KEMH.  In 1982, she married Professor Roy Wright, an Assistant Professor at Queen’s University in Canada where he taught Politics and Sociology. Following their marriage Professor Wright relocated to Bermuda where he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science at the Bermuda College, until his retirement. Joan has an insatiable desire to be competent in whatever role she assumes and always prepares herself for the future. She holds a BA in Psychology from Queen’s University, Canada and a MSc in Counseling Psychology from Indiana University, USA; a certificate from Harvard Medical School, Boston in Health Maintenance Organization; a Certificate in Nursing Unit Administration, Toronto, Canada; a Certificate in Counseling Skills from North East London Polytechnic and a Certificate from the Institute in Supervisory Management, England. In 1995, Joan Dillas-Wright was appointed Director of Nursing at St Brendan’s Hospital which has since been renamed The Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute. Her initiative, drive, innovative ideas and organizational skills did not go unnoticed and her career continued to progress from Director of Programs and Support Services to Director of Programs and Administration both positions were at St. Brendan’s Hospital. In 1999 she was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of Bermuda Hospital’s Board and in 2000 she became a Consultant to the Chief Executive Officer of the BHB progressing to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, the position she held until her retirement in 2006. Joan travelled to Buckingham Palace in 2008 where she was awarded the MBE for Service to Health Care in Bermuda. In 2008, to add to her numerous responsibilities, Joan Dillas-Wright was appointed by Governor Gozney as an Independent Senator to the Bermuda Legislature. Four years later she was elected Vice- President of the Senate by her Senate peers and today sits as The Elected President of the Bermuda Senate. In this capacity she has attended Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conferences in Seychelles and Ottawa, Canada. 

Joan is an active member of the Devonshire Anglican Church and in 2020 was appointed by Bishop Nicholas Dill as Chair of the Racial Justice Committee of the Anglican Church of Bermuda. She has dedicated herself to a life of service and over the years has given invaluable expertise as a member of numerous committees and boards. Her wide range of knowledge on various issues and needs within the community have enhanced every service these organizations provide. Unbelievably, she finds time to include moRe relaxing activities. She has travelled extensively and enjoys simple pleasures such as walking on the beach, gardening, reading, entertaining and dining out with friends. She has dedicated her life to her family, her career and the community. Despite her illustrious career, she has never failed to remember the struggles of her early life and remains empathetic to others. She is a humble woman who has not ‘lost the common touch.’ The Hon. Joan Dillas-Wright MBE, JP, SRN, SCM, RMN, BA, MSc is a phenomenal Bermudian whose perseverance, confidence and quiet dignity is an example of what can be accomplished when one strives to be the best. 

Contributor: Cecille Snaith-Simmons

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