It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of the Honourable Dorothy Pine-McLarty, OJ. Jamaica has lost a distinguished attorney-at-law and pioneering public servant.

Her quiet strength, unwavering integrity, and steadfast commitment to democratic principles have helped shape the architecture of our electoral system.

I have known “Mikki”, as she was affectionately called, for many years, and throughout that time I came to appreciate her formidable professional capabilities and admire the grace and dignity with which she approached every responsibility entrusted to her.

A Pioneer in Law and Public Service

Dorothy’s professional journey was marked by remarkable achievements. In 1973, she became the first female partner at Myers, Fletcher & Gordon — a barrier-breaking accomplishment that required brilliance, courage, and perseverance. She became the first managing partner of the firm’s London office and earned admission as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Dorothy understood that privilege carries with it an obligation to serve. Throughout her career, she mentored countless young attorneys to follow the path she had blazed, helping them overcome obstacles with the same quiet determination that had characterised her own ascent.

Guardian of Democracy

While Dorothy’s legal career alone would have secured her place in Jamaica’s history, it is her service to our nation’s electoral integrity that represents her most enduring contribution. In December 2000, Dorothy was appointed to the Electoral Advisory Committee. Electoral reform was a priority, and we needed individuals of unimpeachable integrity and proven capability to guide this evolution. Dorothy Pine-McLarty embodied those qualities completely.

Her appointment in 2013, to chair the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, placed our electoral system in the hands of someone uniquely qualified to lead it. I watched with pride as international observers praised Jamaica’s elections and as nations from Southern Africa to the wider Caribbean sought Dorothy’s counsel.

A Philosophy of Service

She possessed that rare quality of being able to hold firm principle while remaining gracious to those who held different views. In an era when political discourse too often descends into personal abuse, Dorothy modelled a better way — one rooted in mutual respect and shared commitment to Jamaica’s advancement.

She was a devoted wife and mother, and a lady of strong Christian faith. To Herman, Rachel, Matthew, and the entire Pine-McLarty family, I extend my deepest condolence. They can take comfort in knowing that Dorothy’s legacy will endure in the institutions she helped to build, the lives she touched, and the example she set for generations to come.

May her soul rest in perfect peace, and may her memory continue to inspire all who believe in the power of democracy and the imperative of service.

— PJ Patterson is a former Prime Minister of Jamaica

PINE-MCLARTY… possessed that rare quality of being able to hold firm principle while remaining gracious to those who held different views