Former BVI Legislator to be laid to Rest Shortly,
Politicians extend tribute
By Suelika N. Buchanan
~~Adz:Left~~ (Tortola; BVI): The funeral service for the late former Minister of Health and Welfare and Fifth Electoral District Representative for Tortola, Ethlyn Gordie Smith is scheduled to take place shortly.
Although there has not been any official word as yet in relation to date of the funeral service, tributes continue to pour in for the late BVI Legislator.
Premier the Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, in a statement issued to the press said that Smith served her country well as a civil servant and later as a Legislator.
“I worked with Ms. Smith in her early days as a civil servant when she joined the Treasury Department as a clerical trainee in 1960. She was one of the few civil servants to rise through the ranks of the service, reaching the position of Accountant General of that department in 1970,” the Premier said.
He noted that after retiring from the civil service in 1992, Smith had a desire to serve her country in another capacity and in 1995 she entered the field of politics and successfully won the Fifth Electoral District.
“She served that district faithfully for two consecutive terms from 1995-1999 and 1999-2003. It was during the latter part of her second term that she worked as my Minister for Health and Social Welfare,” the Premier reflected.
Present Fifth Electoral District Representative, the Hon. Elvis Harrigan, also shared similar sentiments to the media about Smith, whom he said represented her constituents with a sense of passion and determination, despite her health challenges.
He also extended gratitude to her caregiver, Naomi Turnbull, for the loving care she gave to Smith during her period of illness.
“This district owes you a great deal of gratitude,” he said.
“May God comfort the hearts of the family and friends she left behind during their course of bereavement. She will be dearly missed.”
Smith died at the Peebles Hospital on Monday, Dec. 31 after a prolonged illness according to reports. She was 67.
Smith began her public service as a clerical trainee in the Treasury Department in 1960. She served as accountant general from 1970-76, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Communications and Works from 1976-89, and permanent secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labor from 1989-92.
In 1995, she entered politics and successfully won the Fifth Electoral District and, along with Eileene Parsons, became the first woman to be elected in the February elections.
Smith, who was leader of the Concerned Citizens Movement political party, served that district for two consecutive terms from 1995-1999 and 1999-2003. In the latter part of her second term, she served as Minister for Health and Social Welfare.
In 2003, she contested the general elections as a Virgin Islands Party member and lost by three votes to newcomer Delores Christopher of the National Democratic Party.
Smith was a member of the Methodist Church and served the Road Town Methodist congregation in many capacities.
British Virgin Islands News