The late former speaker of the house, Marie Davis-Pierre has been afforded an official funeral by the government of Dominica on Wednesday, June 4.
The government has also declared that day as an official day of mourning as a mark of respect, according to a release from the office of the prime minister.
Marie Davis-Pierre served as Speaker of the House of Assembly from August 13, 1980 to December 30, 1988.
She has the distinction of being the first female house speaker in Dominica.
Before she was elected Speaker, Davis-Pierre had a long and distinguished career in the Civil Service as it was called then.
She entered the service in 1944, and would later rise to the rank of Deputy Registrar in 1965.
As Deputy Registrar, she re-organized the Law Library, Trade Mark Section making the library much easier to use.
In March 1967, she became the first female Clerk of the House of Assembly. As clerk she organized the historic meeting of parliament on the specially built stage at the Windsor Park on the night of Dominica’s Independence.
As clerk, she wrote a book on Parliamentary Practice and Working Methods of the Dominica House of Assembly which was published in 1975.
At the age of 12, Davis-Pierre won the single Annual Roseau Town Council Scholarship which was offered to girls for her education at the Convent High School.
After leaving school in 1937, she started a Kindergarten school called the “St. David School” before joining the Civil Service.
Being a devout catholic, Davis-Pierre served as a catechist for 56 years and at the same time as a member of the Cathedral Choir. Her love for music is well known and many can recall her musicals, concerts and solo performances in church.
President and Mrs Savarin, Prime Minister the Roosevelt Skerrit and Mrs Skerrit, and other members of Cabinet, Alix Boyd-Knights, Speaker and other members of
parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other Government Officials are expected to attend the Official Funeral for the late Davis-Pierre.
Public viewing shall be from 2:30 pm at the St. Gerard’s Hall Chapel.
The Official Funeral Service will commence at 3:30pm.
The late Davis-Pierre will be laid to rest at Roseau Roman Catholic Cemetery.
All official mourners are requested to be in their seats no later than 3:15 pm.
My aunt was 96….may she be remembered for all the good she did….may het soul rest in peace. Though I am unable to make it home, she is in my heart.
Eva
To date, she has been the only Female Speaker of The House. May you soul rest in peace and thank you for serving.
Ms. Marie Davis-Pierre performed her duties with excellence and distinction. Job well done. A devout Catholic who lived by example. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Lets hope the eye has it as always
And into eternity
Pleased that she will be receiving a final, due official recognition and appreciation. In all she undertook to do, they were performed to the best of her ability. She persevered in faith to the end and won the race.
Rest in God’s glory and peace! Amen!
I was writing something about her but when I reached where I had to include her age, I had to stop. There’s no mention of her D.O. B., nor even her age at death. Could someone assist me with at lease her age or DOB. Nonetheless, may her soul RIP
Marie was born March 12th 1918 to Mrs. Pauline Charles Davis and William Lionel Davis – both of Point Mitchel. She was 96 years.
My aunt was 96….may she be remembered for all the good she did….may het soul rest in peace. Though I am unable to make it home, she is in my heart.
Eva
Thanks for your service.RIP.
So long she died is only now they see it fit to give her a state funeral? When I looked at the roles that she played I thought a state funeral was automatic. But then again these days a state funeral is based on who that die. Take for example a young man from Vieille case that died a few months ago in Guada. He never worked for the government not even as a labourer; but yet he was given an unofficial and unannounced State funeral simply because he was the brother of the PM spiritual leader. The police went all the way Guada to get his body and nobody said a thing.
An exemplary and distinguished woman who held her own in the house against the likes of Vic Rieviere amdMike Douglas and others – she was no Alix Boyd Knight for she kept her composure and used a lot of tact and demanded respect while getting the house to conform to the rules.
A true Dominican hero– R.I.P
Also compare the character and behavior of the members of the opposition now with those back in her day!
Vic Riviere was in there during her stint as Speaker? And Mike? You ever saw Mike behave like present members of the opposition? Oh please!
Its a pity she did not find time to coach this current speaker who is in no way close to those who sat in that chair before.
If she did, would her advice have been accepted and/or followed?
You know how to spoil a good article. DNO should not have posted your article for it is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. It is non-constructive, has no substance and has no bearing on this article.
mrgreen:
Your comment is uncalled for, out of place, is an insult and an exaggeration. It is rude, crude and disrespectful. Learn the Golden Rule.
Who are you anyway? So you think you are a perfect person, with no flaws and are capable of communicating respectfully? Do not be presumptuous. Look to yourself. Your words gave you away. They will not accord you happiness and peace on earth and Heaven. You need to change and soon enough.
I could bet that you are by no means better and none to compare with the present speaker. Your comment leaves much to be desired which no one should be subject to reading.
If you have nothing good to state, say nothing. Hold your piece of contention. Let he/she, as you, who are without sin (without faults) caste the first stone.
Have you ever heard of freedom of speech and expression? Then let the other person have theirs just as you have yours.
@Simply the Truth, you once again proving your ignorance and untruthfulness to the world. @New yorker simply said that the late speaker should have trained the current speaker and that you taking offense for? What is wrong with you? You sounding like a person who is just desperate and will do anything to keep and bless ungodliness in Dominica while you are enjoying those same blessings in Canada. Don’t u know this speaker is the worse Dominica had had? Have we ever have one so vulgar and disrespectful? have we ever had one that condemned something in 2002 but pushes to condone it 12 years later? You must be like her.