I would want to and have been notified of deaths of friends or family while in Jamaica. I'm there for the winter and for a while it seemed that every winter we lost someone. Never anyone too close to us where we had to fly anywhere but I always have a stash of frequent flyer miles available should we ever need to - from Jamaica OR California.
In the times I've been away and lost someone its been a comfort to be around my friends in JA - and to have a nice quiet place to sit, reflect on beauty and blessings and give some undivided time and thought to the friend I'd lost.
In your situation, with a close friend who is close to the end - I might think about postponing my trip to be with the family. But there's a second school of thought - your friend is already transitioning, close to the end, close to the end of her pain. See her now - tell her everything you want to tell her. See her children, husband, family - tell them everything too. Then go in peace on your vacation to your blessed place, prepared for ritual when the time comes, if it comes while you are away.
Bless you and your friend.