KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange says news of the death of former Olympian sprint hurdler, Dionne Rose Henley, “has dampened somewhat our festive season as she died the day before Christmas after having just celebrated her 49th birthday in November.”

Rose Henley died after a battle with cancer.

“But Dionne was a fine performer in her discipline of sprint hurdling, so we celebrate her life and contribution to Jamaica’s track and field,” Grange said in a release from her ministry this morning.

Grange said Rose Henley’s devotion to the sport continued long after her days on the track as she established herself as coach not only at Middle Tennessee State University where she had been a student, but at two other colleges in the United States.

“I wish on behalf of the Government to express sympathy to the relatives and friends of Dionne Rose Henley and to the track and field fraternity. 

“May her soul rest in peace,” Grange ended.