FOUR days before Marva Sylvia Lewinson, founder of Hope Dialysis Centre, would have celebrated her 50th year, friends and relatives instead gathered to pay final tribute.

Lewinson died on May 4 after suffering a stroke.

Her thanksgiving service was held on May 28 at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre — located off Waltham Park Road in Kingston — headed by Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair.

The service began with the hymn Leaning on the Everlasting Arms followed by a prayer and tributes.

Among those offering tribute was Grace Silvera, LIME Jamaica's regional vice-president, a very close friend of Lewinson.

According to Silvera, their friendship lasted approximately 15 years and the time they were both introduced to each other is "one she will forever treasure".

"Ever so often someone comes into your life and things are never the same. Ever so often you gaze up to the mountains and see the majesty of God's awesome creation. Ever so often the miraculous father puts a little bit more spice and a little bit more spunk into a special human being. He did that with marvellous Marva," said Silvera as she began her tribute.

"Marva, my precious sister, cheerleader and friend. Her generosity knew no bounds," Silvera added before speaking directly of the numerous shopping, travelling and leisure experiences they shared.

"With gospel music pumping in the car and wild animated laughter, we would head off to our daily adventure to the mall," said Silvera. "Marv's delight would be to choose outfits for me [but] I had to caution her that if I purchased some of the outfits she chose, my pastor would read me out of the church," she added to the amusement of the congregation.

Silvera said Lewinson always took pleasure in complimenting her friends about their fashion styles and attire.

"I remember shopping with her once and she chose something for me. After trying it on, she said 'Look at the back! Tun roun! Tun roun! yu look like Michelle Obama.

"It was her pleasure to make sure that her friends were well dressed. So, naturally, if the clothes did not compliment, she would say 'hurry up an' go back in go tek it off," Silvera recalled.

She added that, "Marva was always concerned about the lifestyle of her relatives, friends and colleagues".

Audrey Wynn, sister of the deceased, reiterated that Lewinson's generosity "knew no bounds" she spared no expense and set no limits. Wynn said ever since childhood Lewinson was "brutally, brutally honest, bubbly, vibrant, full of joy, very expressive, complimentary as desired, critical when needed, a dreamer and go-getter with an entrepreneurial mind.

"After working for several companies in Jamaica and the United States of America, she started Jacam Trading, Shop to Earth Online Company and other ventures," said Wynn.

"Marva realised the culmination of a dream when the Hope Dialysis Centre opened for business in February 2009," she added.

Hope Dialysis Centre is reputed to be Kingston's most spacious provider of dialysis care.

Marva was born on May 30 in Kingston and adopted by Aaron and Mary Officer at the age of one. In 1969, she attended Half-Way-Tree Primary School and received her secondary education at Ardenne High School between 1974 and 1979. She was a graduate of Alpha Commercial College. She took several online courses, which led to her complete certification in marketing and management.

Left to mourn Marva's passing are her parents, siblings — Ava, Audrey, Ronald, Wayne, Beaver, and Karen — nieces, nephews, grandnephew, grandniece, a host of other relatives and friends.

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