CONDOLENCES are pouring in for the family of Blanche Blackwell (nee Lindo), mother of music mogul and businessman Chris Blackwell.
Blackwell died on August 8 in London. She was 104.
Olivia “Babsy” Grange, minister of culture, gender affairs, entertainment and sport, said Blanche Blackwell was “an exceptional host who welcomed and introduced several leading figures including, actors, authors, and singers to Jamaica at her home at Bolt House in St Mary, and encouraged some of her famous guests to set up homes on the island”.
Among those who established homes near Bolt House were the playwright, actor and composer Noël Coward; and the James Bond author Ian Fleming.
Chris Blackwell
Grange said “Mrs Blackwell was muse” to both men and had “inspired some of the great works that Fleming and Coward produced while in Jamaica”.
Sally Henzell, widow of film director Perry Henzell, remembers Blackwell as a woman of substance.
“She had verve and character. She was interested in everything and managed to keep her life together — physically and mentally — right to the very end,” said Henzell.
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