In 1987, Gillian took up the challenge of teaching French and Spanish in the Bahamas at the William Grant High School and, while there, performed with the Bahamas National Dance Theatre.  The students loved her.  Many years after leaving the Bahamas, Gillian continued to correspond with a number of her students, calling them ‘her daughters’.  Such is the nature of this loving person. In  August 1989, she was awarded an OAS Scholarship to pursue a short-term work study programme for teachers of Spanish at the University of Salamanca, Spain.

Having spent 5 years in the Bahamas, Gillian came home to Jamaica in 1992 for the summer with the intention of pursuing a Masters degree in Florida, USA in that fall.  While at home, she went to a reception at the UWI and met Paul Whylie.  They danced the night away and a bond was formed that remained unbroken for 25 years. Paul and Gillian were married in 1995 and, as is typical of Gillian’s nurturing spirit, she took Paul’s two baby daughters under her wings and grew them like her own.

In 2000, Paul was offered a job with the United Nations Environment Programme in Geneva, Switzerland. Without hesitation, Gillian resigned from her job as Public Relations Manager at the Shipping Association of Jamaica and the whole family made the trip to Europe to live in France.

During the next 14 years, Gillian’s life prospered and she offered herself as a mother and loving wife, using her fluency in French to settle her family into the French and Swiss systems.  She completed her Masters Degree in International Relations at Webster University in Switzerland, fully established her fluency in French, had successful tenures at the United Nations Head Office and the International Standards Organization as Technical Editor, and was the founding Secretary of the newly formed Jamaica Association in Switzerland.  As expected, Gillian acquired a mountain of friends in Europe and met her childhood French pen pal – Chantal  – along the way, cementing a close friendship that had matured over many years.  She travelled to many countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, fulfilling girlhood dreams in experiencing cultural institutions and events that satisfied her love for languages and the arts.    She joined a dance troupe in France and introduced the Jamaican folk dances of kumina, dinky-mini and bruckins to the fascinated Europeans.  She choreographed a dance show with her European dance partners, dancing to mento music: a crossroads of cultures.

In 2014, the Whylie family returned to Jamaica.  Gillian saw this as an opportunity to expand her career and to use her European experiences and international linkages to support her country.  First, Gillian began by teaching French at Alpha Girls Academy at the upper level of the school.  Then she was elected President of Alliance Française de la Jamaïque, the international organization that aims to promote French language and culture around the world.  Her dynamic and inclusive style endeared her to the international community and in no time, Gillian was fully involved and participating in events and the workings of the diplomatic community on the island.

Gillian established her own company – You are Write Editing and Translation Limited – which grew to include work for international organizations. She commanded a cadre of eminent editors and translators as supporting experts. Gillian never stopped dancing. She established a small group of like-minded ladies that came to her home to dance informally, and to keep fit. Her warmth and charm was not lost on her suitors, family, friends and acquaintances.

On August 30, 2017 at age 53, Gillian tragically passed away after a brief illness.  The outpouring of sadness and grief is testament to the love she gave in her life to all she met and interacted with.  Her thanksgiving service brought together an overflow of loved ones, colleagues and acquaintances and was characterized as the largest funeral seen at the church since its inception.

The Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund is a charity established in her name to continue the legacy of kindness and support to those in need that Gillian perpetrated during her life.  Your support to this worthy cause is truly appreciated and will be used to help promising but needy students to achieve their goals of education in the Humanities.

Rest in peace Gillian.