A TIME TO BE BORN
On September 17th, 1947, on thetranquil settlement of Stevenson Cat Island, a very sweet and beautiful baby girlwas born to Mary Nottage (deceased) and Lafayette Dorsett (deceased). Theynamed her Nathalee Whilmena Dorsett.
A TIME TO BE EDUCATED
Nathalee began her early education atIndustrial Hill Primary School in Cat Island. She was always a courteous andwell learned student, moving to Nassau to further her education. An avidlearner, even in Nathalee’s adult life she was always fascinated with learningand went on to obtain many certificates.
A TIME TO PLANT
After completing her studies, Nathalee commencedemployment at Hertz Rent a Car and quickly excelled to the position of Manager.She was a great asset to the company spending close to 20 years. Nathalee’szest to be around people led her to working within the life insurance field. Inpreparation for this career change she furthered her education at LIMRAInternational where she achieved the designation of Master Financial Advisor.Nathalee’s winning spirit while at Star Insurance and even at Clico, SearsHill, resulted in many achievements, including her being a part of a team thatwon “Agency of the year award” in 2004. The Global financial crisis saw the demise of Clico and Nathalee had toleave her beloved job but was quickly recruited by Colina insurance until shereached retirement age. Nathalee was such an eager worker and loved theoutdoors which is why she joined Morrison Agency as a part time worker whereshe worked until 2015.
A TIME TO LIVE
She relished in the notion of having theprivilege of growing up in Cat Island and would often talk about her fondestchildhood memories which included her beloved cousins Zipporah and Miriam. As achild, she enjoyed participating in her church’s (Zion Baptist in Cat Island)Sunday program. Nathalee was always kind and gentle to her loved ones, and as achild she would ensure that whatever provisions she had, it was shared with hersiblings, cousins, and friends. Fellow islanders would say that Zipporah,Nathalee, and Beryl were the three nicest people on the settlement ofStevenson, Cat Island.
As a young girl, she lovingly assisted hermother and became caregiver to her siblings. Being the eldest of 10 childrenNathalee had to attend cooking school to assist her mother in the kitchen.These cooking skills led her to open her mother’s kitchen to cook and feed herextended family also. Nathalee, without complaint often sacrificed many of herneeds to ensure her siblings were taken care of. It was because of her dutifulfamily role that Nathalee was seen as the ‘Matriarch” of the family. As her mothergrew older, Nathalee also assisted her siblings and became her mother’scaregiver. Nathalee took care of her mother until the end.
During her twenties, Nathalee was providedwith the opportunity to live and work in the United States (Hialeah) where shedeveloped the zeal to work and most notably mastered the art of retail therapy(aka shopping). Everyone who knew Nathalee, knew how stylish and elegant shewas. Being classy, complimented her loving nature. She embraced her fashionsense by ensuring her mother and siblings had the best shoes and clothing aswell. Nathalee lived a life of service to others. As Nathalee battled her ownhealth challenges, she was the dutiful niece and would take care of her auntMarina who battles dementia.
A TIME TO LOVE
Nathalee gave birth to two children,Collier (now deceased) and Marcia. She was a proud and doting parent. Nathaleewas the mother who gave her children the absolute best, prioritizing her lifefor her children and had an excellent work/life balance. She took her childrento a variety of extra-curricular activities and even became a mom to herchildren’s friends.
A TIME FOR GOD
Nathalee was appointed as a Deacon in herchurch at St. Stephen’s Baptist Church and she absolutely loved the Lord. Shewas very involved with the outreach ministry of the church by ensuring personswithin the community received clothing and other necessities. Nathalee alsoassisted with the feeding program of the church, ensuring that persons gotbreakfast.
She was a parent that lived a godly lifeand instilled the fear of God within her children. Having this love for God,she shared her faith with everyone she knew. Even after the loss of her son,she would use her testimony to witness to people. Through it all she kept herfaith. As an active member within her church, Nathalee once led the women’sministry. She was also a very committed speaker within her church and on herchurch’s zoom platform.
Some of her favorite Bible passages wereIsaiah 42: 15-16, Psalms 55, and Psalms 91.
A TIME TO PASS
In the last few years of Nathalee’s life,she had her share of health challenges, but no one saw it because she nevercomplained and was always smiling and pleasant. She remained strong andcontinued to do everything she was accustomed to and lived fully around thepeople she loved most, doing the things she absolutely enjoyed. On Saturday,April 22nd Nathalee was not feeling well and so her loving daughterMarcia took her to see the doctor. She was routinely admitted, and Marciastayed with her the entire time. Nathalee while still cognizant and notcomplaining and could clearly articulate to the nurse and doctor how she wasfeeling. She and Marcia had a special moment where they both expressed theirlove for each other. Marcia was able to seal that love with stroke of hermother’s hair and a kiss on her mother’s cheek. It was on the next day, Sunday,April 23rd Nathalee peacefully closed her eyes and slipped intoeternal peace, departing this earthly vessel to be with her Lord and Savior,Jesus Christ.
A TIME TO MOURN
I have fought a good fight, I havefinished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Her legacy will forever linger in the heartsof her:
Daughters: Marcia Dorsett, Alfreda Gould (adopted daughter)
Son: Collier Knowles (deceased)
Grandsons: Collier Knowles Jr. and Norkarie Cleare (adopted grandson)
Brothers: Charlton, Garrison, James, and Anthony Nottage, Lafayette DorsettJr, and Carlos McKenzie
Sisters: Karen Nottage, Petrona Adderley, Donna Dorsett, Patrice McIntosh,Joanne Bootle, Ceslyn Dorsett(deceased)
Sisters-in-law: Anita Ramsey, Ramona Nottage
Brothers-in-law: Jeffrey Adderley, Demario McIntosh, Martin Bootle Sr.
Nieces: Chanel Nottage, Cassanda Nottage, Aliah Ramsay, Alexia Adderley,Tiah Grimes, Giah Rigby, Kellie Nottage, Ashra McCardy, Laselle Nottage,Onassis Nottage, Saphyre Nottage, Karrell Sands, Shante, Shanique, Lafaya,Twanishka Kaneasha, Khatrel, and Khadijah Dorsett. Tiandra, Shatara andShaneille Bootle. Shanae Woodside, K’Jha McIntosh, Carlisa Mckenzie,
Rechea and Rashanti Nottage; Jamie Hannah,Tiffany Hanna, Shahika Dorsett, Keycha Ramsay
Nephews:Daxon Ramsay, Sheano Dorsett, Lafayette III, andDon Dorsett. Martin Bootle, Jamal
Nottage, Tony Ramsay, Adrian Ramsay, JavieGibson, Syrent Pierre, Oquendo Nottage,
Dapharae Ramsay, Travis Nottage, MikhailNottage, Javon Hanna, Ryan Sands, Brian Sands, Neko Nottage, Richard Nottage
Aunty: Marina Simmonds
Uncle: Luther Humes of Miami Gardens
Cousins:
Zipporah Rawlins, Miriam Stuart andMaryjane Moss, Maria Saunders, Helena & siblings, Floyd McCoy &siblings, Lamond Gordan, Marie Saunders
Annamae Fox and family, ACP Kirk Andrewsand family, Faye Miller and family, Nickio Orlander, Donna Miller, StephanieMiller, Wendy Orlander, Nathaniel McKinney, Andretti Bain, and family, ResaRamsay and family, Ryan Sands Jnr. Brianique Sands, Z’ion Nottage, KyrieNottage, Jonathan Adderley, Edward Grimes Kaylee and Kyle Grimes, Holton Rigby,Taya, Denzel, Danielle and Dallas Johnson, Tahj Rigby and T'nai Rigby, KamalSands and Kailyn
Nottage, Waylon McCardy, Caelyn Bourne,Onassis Nottage, Saphyre Nottage. Donna Douglas,
Dorington Poitier and family, CatherineHumes, The Dean family, Esther Stuart and family, The
McKenzie family, The McDonald family.Leanna Collie and family, The Johnson family, Esther
Stuart and family, Connie, and family,Demeritte, Novy, and Smitty. Rollins family, Zipporah
Rowlings and family, Miriam Stuart, andFamily, Rosheva Hepburn and family, Zilpha Mackey and family, Elaine Sands andfamily, numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, Staff at Dr. Sweeting’s eyecenter. Pastor Roslyn Astwood and the St. Stephen's Full Gospel Baptist Churchfamily, and the Community of Pinewood Gardens.
