Daughter, Patterson mourn former Speaker Violet Neilson

WESTERN BUREAU:

The woman who made history as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives, Violet Neilson, has passed at age 92.

Neilson, who lived in Somerton, St James, was pronounced dead at the Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny.

Neilson’s daughter, Jacqueline Brodber, who spent the past week visiting with her, described the former People’s National Party (PNP) stalwart as her world.

“We played dominoes all week, and she won most of the games. Although she was suffering from Alzheimer’s, she remembered how to play the game,” Brodber told The Gleaner.

A dedicated daughter over the years, Brodber expressed deep sorrow at her mother’s passing.

“Today, my world crashed into a million pieces. My mother, my world, my joy, my weakness, and my strength passed away peacefully. Nothing can dull this pain,” she shared with friends on her social media page. Despite the grief, Brodber affectionately remembered her mom as “fiery”.

It was a very personal and painful loss for former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, who spoke with The Gleaner from The Bahamas, where he is attending the Afreximbank meetings.

Patterson admitted that words could not adequately convey the impact her death has had on him.

“A devoted and relentless representative in the cause of uplifting the children, women, and every citizen within her constituency,” said Patterson, adding that Neilson’s name would remain indelibly etched in the annals of the nation as the first female House Speaker.

Neilson served as Speaker from 1997 to 2003.

The People’s National Party (PNP) cemented the statements made by its former leader, lauding the legacy left behind by Neilson.

LASTING LEGACY

“A legacy of service, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the people of Jamaica,” said the party.

“Her tenure was marked by her firm, yet fair leadership, her integrity and her tireless advocacy for parliamentary democracy,” the party added in a press release.

According to the PNP, she was a trailblazer for women in politics and public service, and her contributions have paved the way for many who followed in her footsteps.

Throughout her political career, Neilson exemplified the highest standards of public service, stated the release.

She was known for her deep compassion, her keen intellect, and her steadfast dedication to her constituents. Her work extended beyond the halls of Parliament, impacting the lives of countless Jamaicans through her community involvement and her championing of social justice.

PNP President Mark Golding expressed his condolences, stating: “Violet Neilson was a beacon of strength and a true servant of the people. Her pioneering spirit and her contributions to our nation will never be forgotten. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

In his tribute to the former speaker last night, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, “Ms Neilson’s contribution to Jamaica was marked by her legacy of service to Jamaica both in the civil and public services, as a teacher then later in representational politics.”

He noted that Neilson was speaker when he first entered Parliament in 1997.

editorial@gleanerjm.com