Jestina Viola Wilhemina was the fifth child of seven and fourth daughter born to Eustace and Ethel Ashwood on March 18, 1942, inheriting all three names of her paternal grandmother.

From birth, she was known to be lively, energetic, social, independent, competitive, and above all fearless.  She attended Cathedral School and FSSG for her primary education and the Annie Walsh Memorial School (AWMS) for her secondary education.  Her love for sports and outdoor activities developed in her primary school days and was nurtured at the AWMS.  She was very involved in the Girl Guides and tried all sports offered.  She became well known for competing in track and field events, in particular hurdles, long jump, and high jump, mastering the western roll technique. In 1958, she represented Sierra Leone at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, in Women’s High Jump.  Thereafter, on receiving a scholarship for her tertiary education, she attended Dartford College of Physical Education in Kent, UK, from 1960 – 1963 and obtained a Diploma in Physical Education.  During her years at the Annie Walsh and at Dartford she established longstanding friendships, all of whom her children have come to regard as immediate family members.

Upon returning to Sierra Leone, Jestina landed her first job as a physical educational teacher at AWMS and lived in the Boarding Home as one of the matrons. Thereafter, she worked as a teacher at Njala University Experimental School, Bishop Johnson Memorial School, Fourah Bay College School, and International School.  She also taught at the Amadu Bello University Primary School in Zaria, Nigeria from 1972 to 1975, when her husband was doing his studies in Veterinary Medicine.  Throughout her career as a teacher, Jestina worked or volunteered as a coach for Net Ball and Tennis at several secondary girls schools; participated as a Girl Guides Leader for many years; and worked part time in the family bakery. She played tennis as a professional player and won several women championships in Freetown.  She continued to play tennis as a form of exercise for over 30 years.  Unknowingly, she served as a conduit to empower many young girls in Sierra Leone to gain confidence not just in athletics but also in breaking down stereotypical barriers–that most anything is possible for women.  She was one of the first women to own and ride a bicycle and drive a car and a truck in Freetown.

In 1964, Jestina got married to Teddy AOC Jones, a lecturer of Animal Science at Njala University College.  Jestina and their first baby, Wilma, joined Teddy in Montreal, Canada, in 1966.  Jestina was proud of the certificate she was presented for typing up Teddy’s Thesis for a Masters in Animal Science at McGill University that said boldly – “Pushed Husband Through.”  A second child, Michelle, was born to Jestina and Teddy in Montreal in 1967.  In 1984, they had their third child, Ethel, in Freetown.

When she retired from teaching in 1988, Jestina took an active role in the running of the family business, Red Lion Bakery which she and her sisters inherited from their mother, assuming the post of Managing Director some years later.  At the same time she got very involved in charity work for many organizations, a selected few being Women Volunteers of St. George’s Cathedral; Busy Bees Society, the women’s group that assists with maintenance and improvement of the St. George’s Cathedral; the Annie Walsh Old Girls Association where she played several roles to include, member of the Advisory Board of Directors, member of the Development and Estate Committees; the Girl Guides Association where she spearheaded the fundraising and construction of the new headquarters building at Tower Hill; and she served actively on several other Boards including Model Secondary School, St Edward’s Secondary School, and the Sierra Leone Women’s Sports Association.

With fervent passion, she indulged in several hobbies, including being an Olympics spectator, where she made it a goal to treat herself every four years to the Olympic Games — Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sidney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008); and a self-trained horticulturalist who cared for her expansive garden like a child. Watering and weeding helped her to slow down and meditate.  Above all, having been a wonderful cook of international cuisine, she looked forward to making and eating dessert at the end of the day, her favorite being cake and custard. Alas, she had to pull back on desserts when she was diagnosed with diabetes.

Cancer invaded Jestina’s body in 2006.  She was determined to conquer it and not allow this disease to prevent her from doing as she pleased, i.e. running the bakery or travelling to the Olympics. When the cancer hit again in 2008, eating up parts of her spine, she spent a year in a rehabilitation center in New York where she learned how to walk all over again.  She made fast friends with all the patients on her floor, as well as the nurses. By the time she left, most people thought she was the “mayor” of the rehab center where she rallied patients to: show up for Bingo Night, dabble with soil in the greenhouse, get their hair done at the in-house hair salon, and take internet and email classes at the computer lab.  She returned home in 2009 and resumed her duties as Managing Director at the Red Lion Bakery.  Thereafter, she made bi-annual trips to Accra, Ghana to see an Oncologist for treatment (the last visit being in June 2013).

Since the New Year in 2013, several health complications plagued Jestina, and after a short struggle, she succumbed when she was called Home by the good Lord on July 29, 2013.  Jestina lived a colorful, wonderful, and vibrant life of 71 years.  She left a legacy of significant accomplishments and awe-inspiring memories.  Her work on this earth is done.  She rests in perfect peace.