Nurse and Single mom : Veta "Goddie" Picart
Dates - January 11, 1929 - August 24, 2024 (95 years)
Place of Birth - Birnamwood, Portland Parish in Jamaica
Place of Passing - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Parents - Christopher Amoziah Ormsby and Caroline Repertia Ormsby (nee Willis)
Ormbsy Siblings (Age Order, Pet Name) - Lambert (Bredda Lambert), Lauretta (Maud), Amoziah (Vurley), Lincoln (Doctah), Veta (Goddie), Delphina (Dearis), Julia May (Minnette)*, Reynold (Foot), and Edith (Lassie)*
*Still Living.
Children (Spouse) - Richard David Picart (Heather Picart nee Rowe), Robert Geddes Picart (Susan Picart nee Taylor)
Grandchildren - Kehla Picart, Kiara Picart, Malachi Picart, and Madison Picart
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With grateful hearts, we announce the death of Veta Roseta Picart, nee Ormsby, 95, affectionately known as “Goddie” and “Sister P.” Many remember her as a strong and funny church mother and a passionate nursing professional who deeply cared about people's well-being.
Veta was born from the union of Christopher and Caroline (Willis) Ormsby on January 11, 1929. She grew up in the lush country district of Birnamwood in the Parish of Portland, Jamaica. She was the middle child of nine brothers and sisters.
At age 16, Veta and her siblings became orphans as their parents passed away following a series of tragic events. The pain of losing both parents and the eventual separation from her family launched Veta on a life-changing journey that included escaping a cruel life as an indentured servant, surviving alone as a store clerk in the capital city of Kingston, and ultimately escaping to London, England, on the Steamship Irpinia during the Windrush era in 1956.
Born into a devoutly religious family, Veta was an active Christian and a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church when she was not studying or caring for patients.
Veta Picart completed her nursing studies at several United Kingdom hospitals in Northampton, West Midlands, Wolverhampton, Worcester, and Birmingham. Her nursing specialties included midwifery, general surgery, and psychiatry.
In 1965, Veta Picart moved to Canada and continued her practice as a registered nurse. Driven to excel professionally and improve her quality of life, Veta built a forty-year nursing legacy at Oshawa General Hospital, Toronto East General Hospital, The Doctors Hospital, and Sheppard Terrace.
In 1969, Veta married Clinton Egbert Picart, a Jamaican native from St. Elizabeth Parish who also immigrated from England. The short-lived union produced twin brothers, Richard David Picart and Robert Geddes Picart, who came in her 42nd year. As a mature mother, Veta faced the relentless challenge of raising the boys in Toronto as a single parent. She became a beacon of strength for Black immigrant parents in her community.
Veta Picart was a powerful, no-nonsense country Jamaican woman. She defended what she loved and stood up for the conservative, Christ-centred principles her father, Christopher, taught her. She was a real-life superhero for Richard and Robert. A woman who could work 16 hours on her feet and yet be home in time to take them to school, dress them for church, and take them skating at the local arena. She taught the twins that excellence and education were the keys to success after faith in God.
Above all, Veta loved the hymns. She would sing while tending to her garden of roses or from the choir loft on a Sabbath morning at Toronto East Seventh-day Adventist church, where she has been a founding member since the early 1970s. Veta served as a deaconess and choir member for decades. Then, in the mid-2000s, she joined Kanisa Fellowship and participated as the eldest church member.
In 2021, Veta's life story was immortalized in the biographical novel Goddie, which is now used in Canadian schools to highlight the experiences of Afro-Caribbean immigrants.
As she takes her well-earned rest, Veta Roseta Picart will never be forgotten. She will be a burning candle in the hearts of her family, including her sons, Richard and Robert; her grandchildren Kehla, Kiara, Malachi, and Madison; and her remaining siblings, Julia May and Edith.
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In memory of Veta Picart, honour her legacy by supporting the Goddie Nursing Scholarship at George Brown College. Donate in place of flowers to empower future nurses in their educational journey.
https://www.georgebrown.ca/donate/goddie