Desdemona Delphine Gibson (nee Dorant) or
“Aunt Del” was born in the parish of St. George and was the third child of
Thomas and Rosalie Dorant. She grew up
in St. Helen’s, with her three sisters and two brothers and was educated at St.
Augustine’s Girls’ School.
Desdemona’s mother was a nurse and she
followed in her footsteps and became a trained midwife. Following her training, she went into private
practice and delivered “countless” babies at home in St. George. Desdemona’s midwifery skills were always in
great demand.
She
married Thomas Gibson in 1935 and had four children, ten grandchildren and 15
great-grandchildren.
When not working, Desdemona travelled
overseas to the United States of America, the United Kingdom and visited other
Caribbean countries on cruises.