Sean Paul Mourns the Loss of His Beloved Grandmother at 101

2026-01-30 - 15:18

Dancehall icon Sean Paul is grieving the death of his beloved grandmother, Georgina K. Harrison, who passed away at the age of 101, just weeks shy of her 102nd birthday. The 53-year-old Grammy-winning artist shared the news on Wednesday, January 28, posting a series of heartfelt photos and reflections on social media in tribute to the family matriarch. “We are devastated,” Sean Paul wrote on Instagram. “You’ve seen so much change in our world. Born in 1924, living through two pandemics and World War II. From live big band music to radio and the internet. Silent films to video, colour TV and smartphones. You’ve seen it all.” Born in Coventry, England, Mrs. Harrison lived a life marked by resilience, courage, and quiet adventure. In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, Sean Paul recalled her remarkable wartime experience, noting that after Coventry was bombed during World War II, she emerged from an air-raid shelter to discover that her home was one of only three left standing in the area. She began working at just 14 years old, drawing aircraft parts for the British war effort. It was during this period that she met Sean Paul’s grandfather, a Chinese-Jamaican student studying in England. In 1948, at age 24, she made the life-altering decision to leave Wolston and Rugby behind and relocate to Jamaica, where she would spend the majority of her life. “Many hardships were overcome with grace and pride,” Sean Paul shared in his tribute. “You mean so much to us all, Gran. Your witty sense of humor, poems, and gentle life lessons taught—we will never forget.” Despite building her life in the Caribbean, Mrs. Harrison maintained a strong connection to her English roots. Sean Paul fondly recalled her cooking traditional British dishes such as bubble and squeak during his teenage years, while sharing stories of fish and chips wrapped in newspaper and sprinkled with vinegar. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable life that bridged continents, cultures, and centuries—leaving behind a legacy of strength, wisdom, and love that continues to resonate within her family and beyond.