Montreal mourns seminal advocate Ivyline Fleming who has died at 101

Ivyline Fleming, founder of the Jamaican Association of Montreal (JAM) in 1962, has died at 101. (JAM/Facebook)

Montreal’s Jamaican community has lost a seminal figure in the community and a lifelong civil rights advocate on Saturday morning, as Ivyline Fleming has died.

She was 101 years old.

Fleming was one of the founding members of the Jamaica Association of Montreal (JAM) in 1962 and became the organization’s first female president in 1988.

She also formed the Jamaican Canadian Community Women’s League of Montreal.

“She was an ardent leader in both organizations,” wrote the association’s vice-president, Sharon Nelson, on Facebook. “Mrs. Fleming has touched the lives of many and has laid a pathway for women to achieve their goals and aspirations. We are sincerely grateful for all that she has done to inspire a generation. Rest in Peace and in Power.”

The JAM was founded in 1962, shortly after Jamaica’s independence. The organization works to “assist in improving and enhancing the quality of life for the Jamaican community,” according to its site.

Fleming retired from volunteering for the organization in 2016 (at the age of 92).

She immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in 1957 and was awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.