Winifred Oyoko Loving

Born in Boston to the Rev. and Mrs. James Loving, Winifred Loving was educated in the Boston public schools, received her bachelor’s degree from Newton College of the Sacred Heart and her Masters of Science in Education from Wheelock College.  

 

In her early travels to Ghana, she received her pen name Oyoko, which means “member of a royal clan.” With this legacy, she has traveled to many countries in Africa, the Philippines, Hawaii, and throughout Europe. After graduate school, Ms. Loving moved to St. Croix and taught  elementary school there for thirty-one years, during which time she also published two books of poetry. Remember When and Spontaneous. In 1984, she taught school in London with the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program. Loving exclaims, “I even lunched with Princess Diana!”

 

Oyoko is married to a sailer/boat builder, Inglore Westerman, and has two adult children, Khema and Johnathan. She enjoys the spoken word, gospel music, and presenting live poetry readings. Her works have been published in the Bay State Banner, St. Croix Avis, Daily News, The Voice, Caribbean Writer, Poets and Writers, and Cosmopolitan Magazine. She performs her poetry on WSTX radio 970 AM on Friday mornings as a guest of Doc Petersen, the singing veterinarian’s talk show.  

 

Since retiring, Ms. Loving has published three illustrated children’s storybooks which show her soft, tender love for her three granddaughters:  My Name is Freedom,  My Grandma Loves to Play, and Jeepney Love. Her fondest wish is to open a children’s museum on St. Croix, the planning for which she help start in 2017. Along with the many other talented and devoted people associated with the Museum, she is forging ahead to make this dream a reality.