The veteran journalist has left behind a lasting legacy for her compatriots to feel everlastingly proud of.

Her discipline was recognised by former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, who paid tribute to this icon of journalism.

Forrester passed away in September and was laid to rest last week Saturday after an emotional thanksgiving service at the Webster Memorial Church in Kingston.

Life Tributes joins with her loved ones in hailing this star who walked humbly among us. Rest well, Clare.

Below is the full text of the tribute penned by Patterson:

Prior to early May, there was no tribute given by me within the previous four years where Clare had failed to provide less than a tremendous helping hand.

Today, she is the recipient of the accolades already extended in this service of thanksgiving. Despite these and the glowing tributes which have been deservedly paid to her in the media during the past week, there still remains much more than enough for one who comes to the crease as a tail-end batsman to contribute.

For hers was a life of immense dimensions and significant achievements. It was my privilege to have known her as a journalist, a regionalist, a reliable associate and a trusted friend.

Clare Angela Forrester was no ordinary gem — but rather a diamond, recognised for her polish and enduring value; a jewel which would sparkle and glow; reflecting a radiance that would brighten the lives of those around her … and which made her so precious to her family, colleagues and friends.

Our first contact began on her assignment in 1972 as press officer to the Health Ministry led by Dr Kenny McNeil, who demanded nothing but the best. Those were the days of intense political fervour and social ferment. The effective communication of the profound changes of policy and programmes being undertaken in the health sector required the consummate skills which Clare possessed and so demonstrably honed.

It was there she acquired the specialist knowledge which permitted her to give admirable service to PAHO (Pan American Health Organisation) and the CFNI (Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute).

Many years later, as Secretary of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), she engaged my services as Legal Counsel to the PAJ on several occasions when advice was required to resolve internal disputes or advocacy in court.

Conscious of the role that a free press must play in a democratic society, Clare Forrester was determined that the PAJ should itself be led and managed with probity. Her tenure as Secretary of the PAJ for 12 long years set the gold standard by which those who have succeeded her in that critical position are evaluated.

It was my appointment as Special Representative of the Heads of Government (of CARICOM) to Haiti which triggered the closest working relationships between us. The importance of ensuring effective communication with the Haitian people and the need to strengthen the communication initiatives within the groups that were established seemed obvious from the start. The urgency of finding a journalist with excellent skills, knowledge of regional programmes, ready access to external media channels was compelling.

Clare Forrester responded to the summons readily and in abundance.

She ploughed into the rescue and recovery process of Haiti without hesitation – even while she maintained her CARIMAC teaching load, her newspaper column, her work with the women’s auxiliary of this church (Webster Memorial) and her involvement in organising the Annual Camperdown Classics alongside all her other commitments.

No task was ever too large for her to tackle or too small for her to undertake.

Clare Forrester was the consummate professional.

She was a pioneer — a pathfinder — in many fields. She was a performer who did not depend on the adulation of others. A truly selfless human being, who brought passion and creative energy to every assignment she accepted.

She was never timid to show her affection or to conceal her disgust when the situation so demanded.

She was a person of strong conviction, but mastered the art of separating fact from opinion. She did not worry about being politically correct — she would call the game as she saw it, bolstered by sound insight and great foresight.

No one loved sports more. She was a walking encyclopaedia — particularly in cricket, football, track and field. She frequently engaged in heated conversations and contentious articles with the cognoscenti — without ever yielding ground.

How well do I recall one Olympics and World Athletics Championships after another, when we would both meet to forecast the quality of our medal haul by the country’s outstanding athletes.

When she returned from the London Games, two years ago, the inner circle gathered at my house to watch the video she had produced.

We were simply amazed at the depth and quality of the footage she had captured of athletes and spectators alike.

The only area on which we differed, year after year, related to Champs. As much as she supported Camperdown, she was purple and white from head to toe.

Given my political allegiance, Clare could not understand my support for anything green. My customary retort, especially in recent years, was ‘black conquers all’.

While she recognised the worth of individual effort, Clare was even more passionate about creating and strengthening institutions.

She did not envision Institutions as part of her personal legacy. Often hiding the extent of her own involvement, Clare Forrester conceived, fashioned or strengthened Institutions which she regarded as necessary to ensure longevity to the development of that particular area of national or regional endeavour.

Humour…

On her less serious side… Clare’s sense of humour and camaraderie were infectious…and it was not unusual for her to call her friends for an “instant party” at her house.

On one such occasion, she was asked: What was the occasion? Her response was simply: “So what, we can’t just celebrate ourselves?”

She was not one to be conned.

One Thursday before Christmas when this young man showed up at her gate, boldly declaring himself to be “one of the garbage collectors,” and handed her his brown envelope, she engaged him.

“So which day you pick up the garbage?” she enquired, casually.

“On Fridays,” he mumbled.

Her garbage had already been collected the previous day.

“So you coming tomorrow, then?” she enquired.

He nodded his head in agreement.

“Good,” she responded. “Then you can get your share from the envelope I will give the fellows, tomorrow.”

Once Clare became interested or involved in an area, she studied it intensely and was able to see the gaps and connections. She was excellent and quick at research and always searching to find solutions.

A health communicator, advisor and journalist at national, regional and international levels — an expert in food, nutrition and health. She tied these three together and then, with her extraordinary talents as a wordsmith, championed the idea of healthy lifestyles long before this became fashionable.

Family and Friendships

She had fierce family loyalties to her mother, brothers and sister, nieces and nephews. The presence of her siblings — Huntley, Cedric, Herbert, Daphne — and Huntley’s beloved wife, Marjorie, is testimony to the special bond they shared.

For Clare, or “Forestry” as some of her cronies called her, friendship was one of the hallmarks of her life. She was a true and generous friend. And, as I look at the faces in this congregation, this morning…it is evident that she also had many loyal friends and close colleagues.

Whether she was here in Jamaica, in Barbados, in the USA, or trekking around the world on sundry PAHO or journalistic sports assignments, she was always looking out for other people.

She mentored students.

She wrote tens of recommendations.

She pointed many persons in right directions; and encouraged others to give someone a second chance.

In like manner, Clare’s friends, family and associates stood by her…in good times and not-so-easy times. She was particularly buoyed by the outpouring of support and goodwill which emerged when she was going through medical treatment in Florida.

Her e-mail in-box was continually flooded with words of goodwill, encouraging her to fight the good fight!

She did.

She responded to all of them, finding solace in the hope and comfort that these messages brought her. Imbued with her unwavering religious faith, she fought bravely to the very end.

But the pain was too much to endure and God in His mercy has taken her home.

We, who were fortunate to have known Clare Forrester, were privileged to share in her life; a life which was well-spent in earnest devotion to her relatives, friends, associates, profession and country.

Throughout her earthly sojourn, Clare Forrester enriched her craft with the gift of a fertile imagination that could transcend the barriers of the distant horizon and displayed the power of indomitable courage.