With heavy hearts, the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica and the Jessie Ripoll Primary School bid farewell to our cherished Principal, Mr. O’Neil Stevens, and his wife, Mrs. Camesha Lindsay-Stevens. On January 3, 2025, the couple were involved in a fatal accident while on vacation with family in the United States. They are survived by their two daughters and are deeply missed by the Jessie Ripoll family and the wider Mercy community.
Prior to his role as Principal, Mr. Stevens began his career teaching social studies at Donald Quarrie High School after receiving his degree at Mico Teachers’ College. He assumed the position of Principal at Jessie Ripoll Primary in 2018 and, from then on, dedicated himself to leading with vision, inspiration, and commitment to the holistic development of his students. During this time, Mr. Stevens was also a member of Jamaica’s 2021 team which contributed to the creation of CARICOM Standards for the Teaching Profession, and was one of the first Principals to establish descriptors for the Grade 6 Guiding Principles of the “Teacher Profession Appraisal Instrument”. Furthermore, he became chairman of the Quality Education Circle in 2022 and last year, he became a second time finalist in the annual Lasco/MOEY/JTC Principal/Teacher of the Year Award; being placed among the top 10 principals in Jamaica. With all this and more, there is no doubt that he made the most of the time that was given to him. Mrs. Stevens, a supportive partner, also enriched our school family with grace and generosity. Together, their contributions profoundly shaped our community and left an enduring legacy.
“He was a Principal deeply invested in the well-being of every child, knowing them and their families personally. He [was] a leader with a clear vision for his school, and courage to articulate and implement it. He was a man of optimism who encouraged others to see the brighter side first. He was a humble and kind soul who was passionate about his students and their success.”
– Minister Morris Dixon
The Jessie Ripoll school community was hit extremely hard by the news of the couple’s passing. Students and staff alike have shed tears over this tremendous loss and have leaned on each other as well as relied on the support shown by the Sisters of Mercy, the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI), local schools and the nation as a whole. Throughout this time of grief, several special events have been held to commemorate the Stevenses such as the school’s Prayer Service and Candlelight vigil; both of which enabled members of the school community to share the impact the couple had on them. Beyond this, a memorial was held in South Carolina and a funeral service was held at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Downtown Kingston on February 8. The funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners including students and staff from Jessie Ripoll Primary, representatives from the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica and the Minister of Education, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon.
From the Staff of Jessie Ripoll Primary School:
“Mr. O’Neil Stevens, our late beloved principal at Jessie Ripoll Primary School, was not just an administrator; but a beacon of hope and compassion for our entire school community. His unwavering commitment to the well-being of every student, staff and parent transcended the duties of his role. A true humanitarian at heart, he nurtured an environment where kindness thrived, and empathy was the cornerstone of our educational experience. He believed in the potential of each individual, championing inclusivity and inspiring us to reach beyond our perceived limitations. Through engaging programs and heartfelt conversations, he instilled values of respect, forgiveness and service, reminding us that our actions could ripple far beyond the walls of our school.”
As we continue to mourn the loss of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, we honour their memory by continuing to uphold the Mercy values and the principles they championed. We keep their two precious daughters and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers during this period of grief.
