The Jamaican diaspora in the United States is mourning the passing of Alsion Roach-Wilson, Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, whose death has left an unmistakable void among Jamaicans abroad.
Roach-Wilson died peacefully at her home in New Jersey in the early hours of Saturday morning, Nov. 8, 2025, after a battle with breast cancer. She was 59.
Her death has been met with a wave of tributes from government leaders, colleagues, and members of the Jamaican community worldwide, who remember her not only as a diplomat but as a woman of grace, conviction, and extraordinary service.
A True Servant of Jamaica
In a heartfelt statement, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, confirmed Roach-Wilson’s passing on Saturday and praised her legacy of excellence.
“Consul General Wilson served Jamaica at the highest level of excellence during her tenure from July 2019 to present,” Johnson Smith said. “Her accomplishments defy the time during which she served — with deep commitment to country, the Foreign Service and, indeed, to Jamaicans at home and abroad.”
The minister described her as a “warm and generous human being who exemplified professionalism, loyalty to country and friendship to the world.”
Prime Minister’s Tribute: “A Bridge Between Jamaica and the U.S.”
Prime Minister Andrew Holness also expressed profound sadness, calling Roach-Wilson “a devoted Jamaican whose love for her country was as deep as it was enduring.”
“Alsion dedicated her heart and soul to service, to strengthening the bonds between Jamaica and its diaspora, and ensuring that our nation’s voice was heard with pride and purpose on the world stage,” Holness said.
The Prime Minister described her as “a bridge between Jamaica and the United States — using her warmth, grace and influence to advance Jamaica’s interests with quiet power and steadfast commitment.”
He also praised her generosity, noting that beyond her official duties, she gave selflessly to charitable causes and those in need.
A Woman of Vision and Strength
Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the U.S., described Roach-Wilson as “a woman of remarkable vision and strength.”
“She led with compassion, intellect and an unshakeable belief in Jamaica,” Anderson said. “I had the honour of working with her on matters of national importance, and she was a true patriot and a unifying force in the diaspora.”
Diaspora Leaders Pay Tribute
Across the diaspora, grief and gratitude have poured in for a woman remembered as much for her professional leadership as for her personal kindness.
Christopher Chaplin, Jamaica’s Honorary Consul in Philadelphia, said he was devastated by her passing, recalling the strong friendship they built since their joint appointments in 2019.
“She was a consummate professional,” Chaplin said. “During the pandemic, she ensured laptops and tablets were delivered to students in Jamaica. Her leadership and sage advice were invaluable.”
Michelle Tulloch-Neil, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Member for the U.S. Northeast, said Roach-Wilson’s “leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the entire community will never be forgotten.”
Dr. Karren Dunkley, also a member of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, added:
“Her departure is a profound loss to Jamaica and to those of us in the diaspora. She stood firm, mobilising aid, advocating for Jamaicans abroad, and deepening the bridge between Jamaica and the diaspora.”
Dunkley reflected that Roach-Wilson “believed in the dignity of connection and the truth that Jamaica’s diaspora was not peripheral, but absolutely central to the island’s development and global identity.”
Legacy of Service
Beyond diplomacy, Roach-Wilson made a tangible impact in health and humanitarian work.
Dr. Robert Clarke, head of the Help Jamaica Medical Mission and her longtime adviser, noted that she was instrumental in organizing numerous medical missions to underserved areas in Jamaica.
“She facilitated and rallied medical support for so many individuals,” Clarke said. “She was instrumental in securing medication for Jamaicans stranded in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her passion for Jamaica was second to none.”
Educator Lawman Lynch described her as “a true patriot whose leadership transformed the Jamaican diaspora.”
“As consul general, she brought energy, unity and purpose to our communities, inspiring many at home and abroad,” he said.
A Bridge of Grace and Grit
Alsion Roach-Wilson’s life reflected a rare balance — diplomacy with empathy, leadership with humility, patriotism with compassion.
At a time when Jamaica’s global influence often rests on the strength of its diaspora, Roach-Wilson’s work embodied the very essence of that connection: people helping people, across borders and generations.
Her passing reminds many of how vital — and how human — the role of a consul general truly is. She was not just a representative of Jamaica; she was a guardian of its people abroad.
As messages of mourning continue to flood social media from New York, Kingston, and beyond, one sentiment echoes universally: Jamaica has lost one of its finest daughters.
