Feril Maud Beckford

Feril Maud Beckford (formerly known as Islyn Gibson), daughter of the late Maybel and Cecil Gibson, was born on July 26, 1928, in Epsom District, St. Mary, Jamaica, West Indies. She departed this life on October 15, 2021, after a lengthy illness at the age of 93. Feril was the fourth of ten children (four girls and six boys). She received her education at Epsom Primary School in St. Mary, Jamaica, and later attended a secondary school where she learned dressmaking. In her early years, she was a seamstress and made the most beautiful women's and children's clothing. That was sold in the tourist area of Port Antonio; this is where she met an American tourist (Mrs. Gorman) who befriended her and later invited her to the United States to work for her. In 1965, Feril migrated to the United States and lived with the Gorman's as their housekeeper. She worked with the Gormans for several years until they retired and relocated. She was ambitious, so she took classes at the local community college to help herself after work. She obtained her Nursing Assistant certification and worked in that field for several years. She then obtained a job at the Children's hospital in Baltimore in the housekeeping department. She worked her way up until she became the housekeeping supervisor, a position she held until her retirement in June 2002. In 1969, Feril married the late Simeon Beckford, affectionately called Roy or Becky. Out of that union, three children were born, Karen Beckford (deceased), Tanja (Tanya) Beckford, and a son who died during infancy. Before her marriage, she had two earlier children., Alva Elaine Gibson (affectionately called Peggy) is the eldest, followed by Marjorie McDonald Wilkinson (affectionately called Sharon). Losing a son during infancy, she becomes the mother to one of her grandsons, Rejean "Reggie" Scott, whom she raised and loved dearly. She also inherited several stepchildren whom she loved as if they were her own (Donavan, Dwight, Keivette, Vivian (Bunny), and Fay; and the late John Beckford). Feril was family-oriented, having nine siblings, many nieces, and nephews; they all called her Auntie or Auntie Islyn. She took care of her close, as well as extended family. Like many immigrants, she was often very supportive and would send things back home to help her family, especially her nieces and nephews. Feril had many unique talents. In addition to sewing, she was excellent at baking and would be called upon to bake wedding and birthday cakes. She was also skilled at decorating those cakes. Feril also had an entrepreneurial spirit. She sold Amway products in the 1980s and sold jewelry, household knick-knacks, and figurines at the local flea market on the weekends. Never wanting to be dependent upon anyone, she worked two and sometimes three jobs to ensure she and her family lived comfortably. Feril was a celebrity in her own right; she was featured in the 1988 movie "Clara's Heart," starring Whoopi Goldberg. She helped to teach actors the dialect, in addition to catering the food filmed in the movie. She loved to travel and would take road trips with her husband and family during the summer. Her last vacation was in 2006 when she accompanied her youngest daughter, Tanya, and her grandson Camryn, on a cruise. Even while confined to a wheelchair after enduring several strokes, she still wanted to travel and enjoy herself. Finally, Feril loved to eat. She had an insatiable appetite for Chinese food. During her illness over the past twelve years, she would often request special meals that she loved. She also liked to cook. In or out of season, she is always cooking, and Sunday dinners were the best. Feril leaves to cherish her memories, one brother, Vernon Gibson (Canada), three daughters (Peggy, Sharon, and Tanya); stepchildren Donavan, Dwight, Vivian (Bunny), Keivette, and Fay; son-in-law Byron Wilkinson; eighteen (18) grand-children; twelve (12) great-grandchildren; six (6) great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

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Feril Maud Beckford

July 26, 1928 - October 15, 2021