FORMER Mayor of Kingston Marie Atkins was everything to everyone, judging by the glowing adjectives used to describe her by speaker after speaker at yesterday’s Thanksgiving Service at the Webster Memorial United Church in St Andrew to celebrate the life and work.

Atkins, who had been ailing for some time, died on December 28. She was 88-years-old.

Bereaved relatives, past and present government officials, former colleagues and associates and family friends yesterday remembered her as a woman of great courage and outstanding integrity, who led a passionate and dedicated life of service.

The late Justice of the Peace (JP) and politician served as Kingston’s mayor for 14 years.

“[Atkins] was a beloved and greatly admired comrade who will be celebrated as one of the great women of Jamaican politics and a long-standing member of the PNP. She was a strong voice on behalf of the people she represented and she laboured day and night to bring hope to depressed communities,” said Opposition Leader and PNP President Portia Simpson Miller.

“Women in politics in years to come will be able to look back and learn from her wisdom and big heart for service. She always measured up and stood tall as a woman of worth,” the Opposition leader added.

Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie (who succeeded Atkins), hailed his predecessor as a champion of the inner city, whose commitment never waivered.

“She was a fine woman, dedicated councillor and wonderful Jamaican. She was a good friend and wonderful servant of the people. She was an inspiration to many politicians especially to women and carried on the proud tradition,” McKenzie said in his tribute. “Her concern for the poor and needy led to the establishment of the Marie Atkins Basic School and the Marie Atkins Night Shelter. We will always remember her at the KSAC and cherish her memory.”

Atkins served as chair of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation from 1989 to 2003. In 2005, she was honoured by the KSAC in a pre-Emancipation Day civic ceremony, where she was presented with a gold medal for outstanding service and support to the city, particularly her many years as councillor of the Waterhouse division. Atkins’ many other honours include the National Order of Distinction (Commander Class).

“She saw politics as a means of serving the underprivileged, solving their problems while inspiring their lot. She was a lover of music and was also an accomplished pianist in her own right, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Alpha Sonic Band,” said Phillip Duncan, former KSAC town clerk, who delivered the eulogy.

Tributes also came from Labour Minister Pearnel Charles, politician Anthony Hilton and Reverend Dr Carmen Stewart.

“[Atkins’] reputation as one of the outstanding JPs of the parish of St Andrew and the island is well known. She had a great heart that overflowed with compassion and she didn’t have to demand respect because she earned it,” Stewart told the congregation. “Those who knew and associated with her, learnt to respect her genuineness and determination to succeed in her projects and endeavours. She was indeed a lover of humanity. The lives of great men and women like hers remind us that we, too, can leave indelible footprints on the sands of time.”

Family members, including daughters Eartha Osbourne and June Osbourne, were too overcome with grief to take the podium, but Atkins’ grandson, Kenneth Aikens (who also read the third lesson), remembered his grandmother as a woman who taught him valuable life lessons about discipline.

In his sermon, Reverend Norbert Stephens, while offering comforting words to the bereaved, urged congregants to abide by faith, hope and love as they move forward with their lives.

“We need to work in concert with God to bring about transformation in our lives. When we combine work with faith in God, we will be able to do great things. When we turn to our faith, we are better able to make a qualitative difference in the lives of those around us,” said Stephens.

Apart form the glowing tributes and words of comfort, the Webster Church Choir, the Meadowbrook Choir and the Alpha Sonic Band also delivered musical tributes. An offering was taken up in aid of the Ralph Grant Senior Citizen’s Home.