Vitarene Armstrong

A God loving woman who prayed for everyone. She loved children and never met a stranger...

-Vitarene Armstrong (nee) Lashley, was born on the island of Barbados on September 14, 1932. Sister, affectionately named by her twin brother, Felton, peacefully left her earthly home on Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 at 2:20am. Her grandmother, Estelle Butcher, instrumental in raising her after her mother’s passing, died in December, 1971. She is preceded in death by her parents Ina Lashley and Aberdeen Jones, husband Ericson Armstrong, son, Wesley Armstrong Sr., brother Felton Lashley and younger sister, Elaine Best.

Ms. Armstrong emigrated to Philadelphia in the 1960s’ and later moved to Boston and Florida. She worked at Massachusetts General Hospital months shy of ten years. Shortly thereafter, she opened a daycare center which primarily serviced children of former colleagues. Vitarene enjoyed cooking, gardening, dancing-especially the three-step- and charitable giving.

Ms. Armstrong is survived by her children, Margreta Clarke of Barbados, Keith Armstrong of Sweden, Jean, Cheryl, Sonja and Judith Armstrong of Florida and Jacqueline in Boston. Left to continue her legacy in Barbados is Verene Lashley Auguste (94), her aunt our family’s matriarch and griot; her sister and brother Iretta Chase and Dalton Lashley.  Sister, Norma Lashley Lynch lives in England. Brothers Will and Warren Jones and Reynold Burkett live in Canada. Her surviving grandchildren include Rashidi (Barbados), Andrew, Nicole, Sara, Jacqueline and Marvin (Sweden), Erica (New York), Wesley and Brian (California) Shari and Kenya (Florida). Three great grandchildren include Nazareth, Joshua and Kairo.

The last ‘2010’ Lashley family reunion allowed Ms. Armstrong to commune with family. Nieces, nephews and cousins include: Ricardo (Bud), Alan, Denise & Nigel(UK), Ian, Orlando (Barbados) Donna, Dominique (NYC), Heather, Dane (New York); Anthony, Roger, Michael, Grantley, Christopher (Barbados), and Shirley Bailey (Florida).

Final arrangements will be directed by Gallaher American Family Funeral Home. Given the current health crisis, a safety first modified service will be arranged and complemented with an online Youtube livestream from New Image Ministries church on June, 13th, 2020 from 11:am to 12:00 noon.

Order of Service:

New Image Ministries 29 Homestead Road South Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 Vitarene Armstrong Celebration of Life Service Saturday, June13, 2020 11:00 am - 12:15 PM Program Prelude Begins Processional... Pastors and Participants enter: Old Rugged Cross on Steel Pan Anderson Ward, Mr. Impact Barbados! Call to Worship Hymn Selection...Blessed Assurance New Image Worship Team & Congregation Welcome....Pastor Michael Porzio Invocation...Pastor Michael Porzio Reflections Poem...Generation to Generation... Sonja Armstrong & Kenya Armstrong Reflections Scripture Reading...2nd Timothy 4: 6-8 & Prayer...Rev. Margreta Clark Bank Hall Church of the Nazarene,  Barbados, West Indies Video Presentations with special music Barbados Children Grandchildren Great Grandchildren Friends A Prayer...Imogene Armstrong Reflections Eulogy...Rev. Cheryl E. Armstrong, M.Ed. Interfaith Minister Hymn..."It's Well with My Soul"...New Image Worship Team and Congregation Scripture Reading...Pastor Phil Porzio Sermon..."Life Changes" Pastor Michael Porzio Closing Song..."I'll Fly Away"...New Image Worship Team and Congregation Reflections Poem & Thank you...Judy Armstrong Benediction...Pastor Phil Porzio Postlude...Pastor Phil Porzio, Sr. Mum's Family Pictures...."Goodbye Now My Bajan Girl! " Richard Stoute

THANK YOU/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We, the family of Vitarene Armstrong, would like to express our sincere gratitude to you:  New Image Ministries, Our neighbors, Hope Hospice Lehigh- Violet-CNA, Nurse Jackie, Chaplin Scott, Fox4 News, our co-workers, and friends.

We were touched by your visits, comforting calls, the lovely cards, beautiful flowers, fresh fruit and   sincere expressions of your love for our family.  We are finding strength in knowing that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

May God continue to bless each of you.

Funeral services Entrusted to:

Todd Garfield, Managing Funeral Director

Gallaher American Family Funeral Home

2701 Cleveland Avenue

Fort Myers, FL 33901