Mary Alison McLean eulogised by former colleagues

It’s literally difficult to fit the size six shoes of her former boss, but chief executive officer of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Rosalee Gage-Grey, yesterday vowed to continue Mary Alison McLean’s vision to help realise a Jamaica fit for children.

“The passion, courage and dedication she exhibited in her care for the most vulnerable in our society are unmatched,” Gage-Grey said during a memories-and-tributes session at the agency’s Duke Street head office.

“She brought enlightened leadership that lighted our path on many dark days. We laughed, we cried and then laughed some more,” Gage-Grey recounted as she documented several of their experiences over the years.

McLean, a former head of the Child Development Agency (CDA), which has since been merged with the Office of the Children’s Registry to form the CPFSA, died on June 1 after ailing for some time. She is also a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Entertainment, Gender Affairs and Sport, and was the representative for the UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) for the Caribbean up to the time of her death.

Tribute after tribute, either delivered in person at the agency’s office or via Zoom, painted McLean as the consummate professional who was a passionate advocate for child rights.

“Alison is a fearless champion for the vulnerable and the voiceless among us. Many people have said she has been a teacher, a friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a colleague. A remarkable woman and a role model, not just in Jamaica, but all around the world,” said Director of Children and Family Programmes, Audrey Budhi.

Former Director of Children and Family Programmes Winston Bowen first met McLean in 2002 when she commenced duties as the project manager at the Ministry of Health.

“She discharged her duty with commitment, dedication and a high level of professionalism,” he said of his former colleague who he credited for establishing the Office of the Children’s Advocate, the establishment of the Children’s Registry and the development of the Child Care and Protection Act 2004.

McLean, a former deputy dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, UWI Mona, interacted with a number of students during her tenure at the institution. Among them is Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams who described her as his mentor.

“I was that kind of student, always a little wayward, always doing things, not focusing on your work,” he recounted yesterday.

“She had a lot of confidence in me, she was always encouraging me, ‘Williams settle down, do your work’,” he said.

McLean was 59 at the time of her death.