CLARENDON, Jamaica— Councillors in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation on Thursday returned from recess in a somber mood, as they reflected on the life and legacy of one of their own— Marjorie McLeod McFarlane— who passed away on September 1.

The news of her passing had shocked political representatives of the country’s two major political parties.

It was revealed that McLeod McFarlane died after battling cancer for some time

Leading the tributes at the first full council meeting after the break was Councillor Scean Barnswell (People’s National Party, Hayes division).

“Her death sent shockwaves of mourning not only to myself but to my colleagues on both sides of the political divide and that would have brought back memories because we would have lost other colleagues in recent times. We want to remember her for her contribution, though limited to the municipal corporation. On behalf of the People’s National Party and the councillors here, we want to express sincere condolences to her immediate family, and to her extended family of the Aenon Town division. May her soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine on her,” said Barnswell.

Councillor Hershell Brown (Jamaica Labour Party, Chapelton division) in his remarks, encouraged reflection on the fragility of humanity, adding that people should do all the good they can while they are still alive.

“Although we are experiencing sadness, these times should remind us of the fragility of humanity and how limited our stay on this earth might be. These times young, old and everybody is going and that should probably serve as a lesson to us that for the time that we remain here we should do all the good that we can, so if nothing let us leave some good legacy,” he said.

“Marjorie was one of those persons. It is extremely sad to see her go especially knowing how long she has been around in the political arena and just got a chance to serve her people. Let us also remember her family,” he continued.

Chief Executive Officer of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, Rowhan Blake also expressed condolences on behalf of the administration.

“I also want to convey our condolences to her family and the Aenon Town division. Despite the fact that we did not know her for long but in observing her behaviour over the few months she has been here. We realise that she cared about her constituents and that she also tried to support them and seek help for them using kindness and compassion. It was Mother Theresa who said that ‘the purpose of life is to find your mission and fulfill it’ and from where I sit, Councillor McLeod actually did that. One of her dreams was to sit in council and represent a division and she did,” Blake said.

In concluding the tributes, Chairman for the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, Joel Williams, remembered McLeod McFarlane’s impact and bond with the people she represented and worked with.

“There was no doubt that she had laboured in that vineyard for a long time as a councillor caretaker for that division. During discussions with her husband we found out that her desire was to represent and I can assure you that based on what I saw being here, that six-month period was very impactful in terms of what she was able to accomplish and how she tied a close bond with the people she worked with. She has left a legacy, and as a council we will play our part to give support to her family,” said Williams.

McLeod-McFarlane’s legacy extends to her victory in the recent Local Government Election where she polled 1,403 (51.69 per cent) votes to defeat the PNP’s Delroy Dawson’s 1,311 votes (48.31 per cent), in a shock win for the JLP in the division.

It was the first time a JLP representative had won that division.