Hyacinth Maud Grant (née Yapp)

Hyacinth Maud Grant (née Yapp) was born on June 4, 1942, in Providence, St. James, Jamaica, to Edna Sinclair and Johnson Yapp. She attended Anchovy Primary School and later Mount Alvernia High School in Montego Bay. She was trained as a seamstress by her Aunt Vi. She resided in Eastvale, CA at the time of her passing.

As a young woman, Hyacinth worked at Warwar Bargain Store on St. James Street, where she became known as a reliable worker and made close friends, including her lifelong friend Dolly. After gaining experience in retail, she opened her own small shop at Hart Street and Creek Street in Montego Bay.

Her skills in retail management led her to Kingston, where she was hired to manage Bardowel’s Bargain Store. She moved her family to Kingston and continued her work in business and retail.

In 1975, Hyacinth migrated to the United States, first settling in New York. Several years later, she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she worked hard to bring her children from Jamaica and rebuild her family’s life in the U.S. Hyacinth raised her children with a strong sense of independence and responsibility. After moving to Los Angeles, Hyacinth attended school to be trained as a Medical Technician and later worked as a Med Tech at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, where she served for many years until her retirement.

The Frank Sinatra song “I did it my way” reflected her personality more than anything else—she made her own decisions, stood by them, and lived life on her own terms.

Hyacinth was the loving mother of seven children, as well as several she lovingly adopted into her life—her two eldest daughters, Pat and Cherry, from her early relationship with Orin Grant, and five more children with Kenneth Livingston Windross.

Hyacinth was always forward-looking and planning. Even during her illness, one of her greatest joys was talking with her daughter Marcia about the house she was building in Lilliput, Jamaica. She loved building and projects. She often kept her project book open, making notes and calculations—“How much steel do I need?”—and thinking through the next step. She cared deeply about the people in Lilliput, was kind and supportive, and often brought things to help and support those living there.

Throughout her life, she also helped many people come to the United States, providing support, guidance, and sometimes a first place to land. Quietly and without show, she opened doors for others the same way she had fought to open them for herself and her children.

Hyacinth’s life was defined by work, planning, and steady movement forward—across parishes, across countries, and across many changes. She did not wait for perfect conditions; she dealt with what was in front of her and kept going.

Hyacinth is preceded in death by her daughter Angela Bailey Thompson, her brothers Earnest Yapp, Milton Lloyd (Atty) Williams, Ralph Yapp, Asley (Riceman) Yapp, Barrington (Barry) Yapp and her sisters Pansy Yapp, Faye Yapp, Olive Yapp, Majorie Yapp, Gloria Williams, and Madge Williams.

She is survived by her children: Janis Logan, Cherris Grant, Sharaymn McClean, Garfield Windross, Mark Windross, Lisa McKenzie, Vivian Windross, Kencle Windross and Yvonne Jeffreys (niece, raised as a daughter) along with their spouses. Sixteen grandchildren: Tamara Toban, Khadine Kelly-Hill, Akia Logan, Shanika Allen, Shawn Bailey, Quentin Logan, Dwight McLean, Kenneth Jeffreys, Chantel McLean, Matthew Windross, Galanafai Windross, Cameron McKenzie, Kpazawala Windross, Caitlin Windross, Malcolm Windross, Klade Windross. Twelve great-grandchildren; Joshua Mantock Jr., Tamia Toban, Shania Allen, Malaya McLean, Sky McLean, Zayne Allen, Heaven McLean, Daniel Toban, Raine McLean, Moria Smith, Lennox Logan and Emerie Logan; Seven siblings; Millicent Yapp, Pansy Yapp, Edna Yapp, Yevon Yapp, Vilma Yapp, Meryll McGhee (Donna Yapp), Herbert Yapp, Eric Yapp and nephews Rodney Lawrence, Patrick Williams, and Shane Patrick scores of other nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends, extended family and friends in Jamaica, New York, California, and elsewhere.

Hyacinth lived life on her own terms and left a clear example of independence, determination, and responsibility for those who come after her. Her final resting place will be Comfort Hall, St. James, Jamaica next to her father Johnson Yapp.

May she rest in peace!

Personalized link to service:

streaming.forestlawn.com/e0a885f1

Date: December 12th, 2025

Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm PST

Visitation:

Date: December 12th, 2025

Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am PST

Location: The Willow Room

Repass:

Date: December 12th, 2025

Time: 2:30 pm - 6 pm PST

Location: 3222 Vandermolen Dr. Norco, CA 92860