Dear Editor,

Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) notes with sorrow the passing of Dorothy Pine-McLarty who, for many years, served as a member of the Electoral Advisory Committee and became its only member who also served on its successor, the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ).

Pine-McLarty served as chairman of the commission from 2013 until her retirement in 2019. In these capacities she made significant contributions to the advancement of the electoral processes, the mainstay of the democracy, that is so important to our nation.

She was an outstanding member of the legal profession. As a managing partner of a leading law firm, Myers, Fletcher & Gordon, Pine-McLarty was renowned for her mentorship of young practitioners.

In 2007 she was conferred with the national honour of the Order of Jamaica for her outstanding public service.

In 2019 she was awarded the honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean.

CAFFE had an excellent working relationship with the ECJ under her chairmanship, which was marked not only by innovation but by a profound understanding, on her part, of the role of the commission and the importance of civil society organisations such as ours in the process.

She has left a tremendous legacy and the nation is greatly indebted to her. We celebrate her life and legacy.

CAFFE extends its condolence to her family and friends as well as her colleagues in the legal profession.

May her soul rest in peace.

Grace Baston

Chairman

CAFFE Jamaica

caffelections@gmail.com