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PREMIER HON. RALPH T. O’NEAL’S TRIBUTE ON THE PASSING OF |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 03 January 2008 |
I join with the entire British Virgin Islands in remembering and paying tribute to one of our community’s stalwarts, former Legislator Ms. Ethlyn Smith who died today at Peebles Hospital at the age of 67.
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, starting first as a trainee, to then become Accountant General of that Department in 1970. While in that position, I observed her competence and dedication to the job.
Ms. Smith might be very well remembered for her years as Permanent Secretary in both the Ministries of Communications and Works (1976-1989) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour (1989-1992). Ms. Smith worked as my Permanent Secretary when I was Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and she was a most conscientious worker.
After retiring from the Civil Service in 1992, she had a desire to serve her country in another capacity. In 1995, Ms. Smith entered the field of politics and successfully won the Fifth Electoral District, who along with Mrs. Eileene Parsons, became the first two women to be elected in the February elections. 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 would work as my Minister for Health and Social Welfare. As Legislators, we had the opportunity to work closely together and I saw how determined she was to work on behalf of her constituents.
She was a woman of strong faith and dedication. She was a committed member of the Methodist Church and served the Road Town Methodist congregation in many capacities. She was very devoted to her family and was always there for them. Ms. Smith served her country well and will be dearly missed.
On behalf of the Government, the Members of the House of Assembly, all the people of the British Virgin Islands, and my wife Edris, I extend condolences to her family during this time of loss of the former legislator Ms. Ethlyn Smith.
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