Velda Ometa Dorant

Velda Ometa Dorant

Springfield

Mrs. Velda Ometa Dorant, 82, passed away Saturday November 11th, 2017, surrounded by family, at her home in Springfield, NJ. Born in Christ Church, Barbados to Reginald Small and Iris Watkins, Velda was raised and schooled on the island before coming to the United States on a student visa to study at Drake Business College and Brown's Business College.

While living with her Aunt and Uncle in the Bedford-Styvesant section of Brooklyn, she was introduced to a young man who was also from home, Mr. Albert Dorant; the two fell in love and were married on October 24th (Velda’s birthday) in 1964. She was proud to become a U.S. citizen on November19th, 1968. Together they moved about quite a lot over the years, living in New York, Florida, Colorado, and New Jersey.

Velda had a long career in the airline industry, initially with Pan-Am, then for many years with British Airways, and ultimately for Suriname Airways before retiring in 2005. Velda, or Grandma as she was affectionately known in her later years, loved to spend hours gardening and growing fresh vegetables. She also enjoyed cooking traditional Bajan food and was known for her delicious Christmas Rum Cake. She loved to knit baby blankets for newborns of family and friends. Until her declining health she was active member of her church community, but most of all she cherished time spent with her family and friends.

Mrs. Velda Ometa Dorant was predeceased by her brother, Grafton Watkins.

She is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 53 years, Albert Dorant; by their beloved daughter, Michelle Dorant-Smith and son-in-law Jimmie Lee Smith; by her precious granddaughter, Carolyn, and grandson, Micah Dorant-Smith; daughter-in-law Melodie; She leaves uncle George, aunts Olga and Cynthia, niece, Lorna, cousins Donald, Diane, Elroy, Brian, Andrew, and Danielle, and many more extended family members and wonderful friends.

Velda was a kind and generous soul who was a friend to everyone she met. She will be greatly missed by all.

Friends and family will gather at between 9 & 10 am Saturday November 18th at the funeral home for visitation.  The funeral service will begin at 10am.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ.

Please consider memorial contributions in Mrs. Dorant’s name to either God’s Love We Deliver 166 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013 (www.glwd.org) or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org

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