Memories of a Jamaican Grandma: Heartfelt Stories to Spark Your Own
For the family-oriented, looking for meaningful ways to stay connected with their roots and preserve their parents’ stories.
About This Book
For anyone wanting another grandma or getting to know their own, Memories of a Jamaican Grandma is a heartfelt, handwritten collection of Grandma’s memories and reflections on life, and over 200 prompt questions to help you spark meaningful family conversations.
At 83, after surviving stage 3 cancer, Grandma Beryl decided to write down the stories she didn’t want her family to forget. Handwritten memories of her childhood in Jamaica, the first time she saw a TV, what she’d tell her parents if they were still around. It’s a life’s reflection, and a conversation waiting to be had with your family.
This book is a collaboration with her daughter Deon, whose illustrations bring these memories to life, and her granddaughter Kenia, who compiled it and added conversation starters to help you capture your own family’s stories.
It’s our sincere hope that this tribute to Grandma will do for you what it has done for us: Bring your family closer, and ensure the voices of our grandparents are never forgotten.
At 83, after surviving stage 3 cancer, Grandma Beryl decided to write down the stories she didn’t want her family to forget. Handwritten memories of her childhood in Jamaica, the first time she saw a TV, what she’d tell her parents if they were still around. It’s a life’s reflection, and a conversation waiting to be had with your family.
This book is a collaboration with her daughter Deon, whose illustrations bring these memories to life, and her granddaughter Kenia, who compiled it and added conversation starters to help you capture your own family’s stories.
It’s our sincere hope that this tribute to Grandma will do for you what it has done for us: Bring your family closer, and ensure the voices of our grandparents are never forgotten.
Why is this important?
It's hard when family gets older...
Many of us feel we’re losing a deep connection with our families’ past, and fear that the stories, wisdom, and traditions of their parents will be lost forever. We’re looking for ways to bridge the gap to generational stories that help us feel found and grounded.
Have you ever felt…
- Regret about grandparents or parents’ lost memories.
- Nostalgic but uncertain about how to preserve your parents’ origin story.
- You want to asking your grandparents more about their past, because you live far away and don’t see them regularly or talk to them deeply.
- Worry that future kids won’t know or appreciate stories about your family’s past.
- Unsure about how to start meaningful conversations with family members about their history?
Then this is for you...
Get grounded with grandma’s stories. Memories of a Jamaican Grandma is a thoughtfully written book that not only brings one Grandma’s stories to life, but also includes interactive prompts to inspire your family to reflect, share, and preserve their legacy together.
Order NowSo, here’s how this helps:
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1
Read & Reflect
Experience Grandma’s heartfelt stories and lessons.
2
Engage & Share
Use the 200+ built-in storytelling prompts to start meaningful conversations with family.
3
Preserve & Pass It On
Capture family memories alongside Grandma’s and create a lasting legacy.
What makes this special for us:
1
It’s real stories:
It’s like we got to meet grandma all over again.
2
She’s funny!
We get to hear her voice. Her warmth and wisdom comes through her stories.
3
Great for shared moments:
We included questions after each story so you can spark convos of your own at family gatherings.
Here’s what you get
Grandma’s Stories, Lessons & Memories
The heart of this book is real-life experiences, wisdom, and cultural reflections from Grandma’s life in Jamaica. These stories bridge together generations, sparking meaningful conversations and preserving family heritage.
Questions for your Grandma
Short prompts alongside Grandma’s stories encourage readers to reflect, share their own memories, and engage in meaningful conversations with family members.
Her Daughter’s Illustrations
A true family collaboration, her daughter drew illustrations inspired by her memories growing up with Grandma. It’s hard to explain, but they help make the stories feel at home.
Grandma’s handwriting
Pages of grandma’s own handwritten manuscript are also included. So you can see what she sat on the veranda writing for over a year.
About the Author
Beryl Nerissa Sutherland Murdock, affectionately known as Ms. B or Mrs. Murdock, is a mother, step mom, grandma and dear friend to many.
She pursued a career in teaching and dedicated her life to educating children in the communities of Sandy Hill, Grateful Hill, Above Rocks in St. Catherine and also in Shirley Castle and Mount Hermon in Portland. She battled and overcame stage 3 cancer at the tender age of 84 and has since been featured in many of her grandchildren’s celebratory tweets.
She pursued a career in teaching and dedicated her life to educating children in the communities of Sandy Hill, Grateful Hill, Above Rocks in St. Catherine and also in Shirley Castle and Mount Hermon in Portland. She battled and overcame stage 3 cancer at the tender age of 84 and has since been featured in many of her grandchildren’s celebratory tweets.
