Myrtle Dasilva

Myrtle Dasilva was born on April 22, 1941, to mother Nina Johnson and father Stephen Dasilva in Kingston, Jamaica. Myrtle, a pet named, “Blossom”, grew up in the Cross Hill district in Clarendon. She attended Warren Hall High School. During her younger years, her mother passed away and left her with her maternal grandparents. Thereafter, her father migrated to find a better life in England.

While Myrtle was living in Kingston, she began motherhood and had 5 children: Aloysius Chang, Jacqueline Chang-Lindo, Audrey Edmond Edwards, Christopher Edmond, and Jolin Edmond Williams. She was a businesswoman, who started her own business from the ground up. In 2013, she lost her fourth child. Christopher Edmond.

Myrtle came to the USA in 1995 and spent several years with her daughter Jackie in Brooklyn. Her first job in the States was as a nanny in Port Jefferson, Long Island. After some time living in Brooklyn, Myrtle relocated to the Bronx and began her career as a certified nursing assistant. She worked at Morningside Nursing Home, where she was known to be thorough, and compassionate, and spent extended time providing exceptional care for her patients. She truly loved her profession and once retired would often reminisce about working with her patients. Myrtle worked well with her colleagues, developing a reputation as a team player who was motivated and always pleasant no matter the challenge. This led to the development of lasting friendships with two of her former coworkers Mrs. Merle Farquharson and Ms. Joyce McPherson.

While living in the Bronx, Myrtle was later joined by her daughter Jolin and granddaughter Rasheda. Her children and family describe her as determined, family-oriented, loving, with a great sense of humor. Myrtle loved God and was an avid bible reader. As a mother, she stressed the importance of God to her children and the power of the Psalms. She was very keen on instilling great homemaking skills in her children. She wasn’t just a great mom, she transcended her nurturing traits into her roles as mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, among others.

In the latter portion of her life, she came to Poughkeepsie where she frequently attended the Poughkeepsie Senior Center. In March 2020, Myrtle was joined by her daughter Audrey, son-in-law Sybrandt, and grandson Garrio. She fell in love with the tranquility of the Hudson Valley as it mirrored her innate serene nature. Myrtle enjoyed watching her favorite television programs, vacationing, shopping, and gardening. She loved to attend outings and stood out as an immaculate dresser. Myrtle was strong-willed and fought up until her last day on August 25, 2024, when the Lord called her home.

Christopher Edmond predeceases Myrtle. She is survived by her children: Aloysius Chang, Jacqueline Lindo, Audrey Edwards, Jolin Williams; sister Cynthia Anderson; grandchildren: Latoya Byfield, Andre Chang, Rasheda Brown, Garrio Edwards, Audra Chang, Rashaun Williams; great-grandchildren:
Jordan Anderson, Ciannie Amenume, Jediah Brown, Jace Anderson.

She is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and friends. May the life she lived have an impact on us all and may her soul find eternal peace in the arms of God.