AMBASSADOR Lucille Mathurin Mair was on Friday hailed as an illustrious diplomat, a trailblazer and a champion of women’s rights, who epitomised strong will and dedication in her life of service to Jamaica, the Caribbean and the wider international community.

The distinguished Jamaican diplomat, who passed away on January 28 at her home in St Andrew after ailing for sometime, was also remembered as a pioneer and visionary and ‘a leader of women for women in a man’s world’.

She was 85 at the time of her passing.

The glowing tributes came at a mid-afternoon Thanksgiving Service to celebrate her life and work at the University Chapel on the UWI Mona campus, where she worked for more than three decades. Among the mourners at Friday’s service were Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, bereaved relatives, former colleagues and family friends.

During his tribute, Professor Rex Nettleford, vice-chancellor Emeritus of the regional university, said Mair (the first warden of Mary Seacole Hall) understood the importance of gender and development as a civilising force for growth in the Caribbean.

“[Mair] led a stunning career and, as a result, she attracted much attention and incurable envy. But she was able to overcome the latter, as she stuck to her work. She had dignified detachment and a well-cultivated appearance of invincibility and unflappable charm,” Nettleford said, noting that Mair was integral to the launch of gender and development studies at the UWI back in the day. “She had a firm style of mentoring young women, and her efforts enlightened her male UWI colleagues about the iconic place of women. This was of major importance to her.”

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson and Ambassador Patricia Durrant, meanwhile, described Mair as a scholar, international public servant and staunch advocate of women’s issues who was well ahead of her time.

“She combined grace, charm, wit, steely determination, independence and open-mindedness in her work at Mary Seacole Hall, and this helped her into her foray into international relations, where she quickly made her mark and served with distinction,” Durrant told the gathering. “The legacy of Mair will live on not only in her family but in those she inspired. I think she will continue to inspire generations of women to come.”

Said Patterson: “Jamaica has lost a champion in the fight for equality. Those who had the privilege of knowing her will miss her in our own unique ways.”

Mair is survived by daughter Ambassador Gail Mathurin and sons David and Adrian.

Between sobs and pauses, Adrian delivered a heartfelt tribute to his mother, who became a widow in her 30s.

“Our mother always personified grace. Irrespective of the curve-balls, she held her head high and dealt with whatever came her way. As a humanitarian, she was concerned about the barriers women faced,” David said on behalf of his siblings. “Our memories are joyful and numerous. We are extremely proud to have had such an exceptional mother, who loved us unconditionally.”

During her diplomatic career, Mair served as Jamaica’s permanent representative to the United Nations, where she held posts including that of secretary-general of the World Conference of the United Nations Declaration For Women, held in 1980 in Copenhagen and from 1981-2, where she acted as special adviser to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Women’s Development at the level of assistant secretary-general. Among her honours were the National Order of Jamaica (OJ) and the Order of Distinction (Commander Class).

In her brief sermon, Reverend Dr Phyllis Green encouraged mourners to use Mair’s illustrious life as an example in mapping their own journey.

“Let us dedicate ourselves to living better lives and be determined to follow God’s law, knowing it is His wish for us to lead prosperous and fulfilling lives,” said Green, also a former Seacolite.

During the service, an offering was taken up in aid of the Women’s Crisis Centre. Selections in spoken word and music came from Professor Mervyn Morris, Albert Hird (Bandmaster of the Jamaica Defence Force) and the Nexus Performing Arts Group.