IT was often said that former legal eagle Dorothy Pine-McLarty “broke many glass ceilings” in the 84 years she lived, but for her friend and former law partner Barbara Alexander, who was there for much of that journey, those ceilings were more “reinforced concrete” than glass and no match for the force that was Pine-McLarty.

Eulogising Pine-McLarty, who became the first female senior partner at law firm Myers, Fletcher and Gordon (1973) and was also the first woman to chair the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (2013), during a thanksgiving service at Saxthorpe Methodist Church in St Andrew Tuesday, Alexander described a friend who, though undeniably generous, “was no pushover”.

“She towered not only in stature, but she towered in integrity, caring, charm; love for her family, friends, colleagues, community, the man in the street; her character was developed and nurtured by her parents,” Alexander told the stately gathering.

She said her friend, though “always well-dressed, appropriately dressed” gave herself “no airs” and was always supportive and encouraging to anyone who asked for her assistance.

In musing on the many accomplishments of the steel-willed Pine-Mclarty who had yearned to be a lawyer but could only do so after she met the conditions laid down by her father who opposed that career choice, Alexander, to applause from the congregation, said, “I have heard it said often that Mikki [pet name for Pine-McLarty] broke the glass ceiling, but her ceiling was not glass, it was reinforced concrete, she dug with sheer ability, grace, and confidence…today the firm has nine women partners and five male partners.”

Pine-McLarty’s children, Matthew and Rachel, shared outstanding memories of the kaleidoscopic woman they knew as mother.

“Many described Mikki as calm, graceful, and charming. While that was true, she was a blazing inferno wannabe, and it happened…in traffic,” Matthew shared drawing anticipatory laughter.

“One morning on her way to work a bus driver travelling in the opposite direction nearly ran her off the road near Manor Park. Mom wheeled the car around, followed the bus all the way up to Stony Hill square, parked in front of the bus like a police, blocking him from driving away, stepped up into the bus and gave the driver a piece of her mind. The passengers cheered her on, saying, ‘Yes, lady, tell him, him drive too bad,’ ” he recalled in describing the advocate that was his mother.

Rachel remembered the disciplinarian who “all she had to do was give us that look”. With only one memory between them of ever being flogged by their mother after they decided to empty every pillow, stuffed toy, and cushion within their reach to “make snow”, their mother, they said, was “a fierce protector and a courageous champion” who was their go-to in every crisis.

“She loved people. She genuinely cared for them, she made time. She took time to encourage others. Following her passing we were overwhelmed by the number of people recounting the ways in which she essentially made them feel a lot better about their circumstances. Her ability to see people rather than status made mom comfortable walking with kings without losing her common touch,” her son said.

Reverend Dr Wayneford McFarlane, in his sermon, said the words used to describe Pine-McLarty such as “quiet and dignified” were well placed and were embodied by the woman whose life could not be described as less than a “legacy”.

He said Pine-McLarty, who was a practising attorney for more than 50 years, lived a life of service and was a “treasured member of the church and community, whose journey touched and influenced many lives”.

“Dorothy was a source of strength, always a listening ear, a helping hand…what a woman we celebrate this afternoon…this legacy is worthy of emulation,” McFarlane said of Pine-McLarty whose remains sat in a gleaming red urn ensconced in a floral garland composed of pink and white roses and white carnations.

Following the service of thanksgiving, which ended after just over two hours, drops of rain, seemingly held in reserve, escaped heavily pregnant clouds as the strains of the musical recession
Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory Of The Coming Of The Lord wafted through the solemn hall.

In recognition of her outstanding service to Jamaica, Pine-McLarty, widely regarded as one of Jamaica’s leading property attorneys and whose commitment to national service extended beyond the Electoral Commission of Jamaica as she contributed her expertise to numerous boards over several decades, was vested with the Order of Jamaica in 2007. Pine-McLarty, who was born in 1940, died on Sunday, November 30.

She is survived by her husband, Herman, and their children, Matthew and Rachel.

Giving thanks for Dorothy Pine-McLarty’s life at Saxthorpe Methodist Church in St Andrew on Tuesday are (from Left) Justice Minister Delroy Chuck; Government Senator Abka Fitz-Henley; Information Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon; Laura Tanna; Elizabeth Ann Jones, chair of Jamaica National Group; and Earl Jarret, CEO, Jamaica National Group.

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Executive Chairman Adam Stewart (left) and SRI Chief Operations Officer Shawn DaCosta paying respect to Dorothy Pine-McLarty during the thanksgiving service for her life at Saxthorpe Methodist Church in St Andrew on Tuesday.