A veteran television and radio personality has been remembered as a “wonderful” person and a pioneer for women.

Marlene B-Landy, who worked in broadcasting for ZFB and ZBM for more than four decades, died at the age of 84 last Thursday.

A spokeswoman for her family yesterday described her as a trailblazer.

“She was a pioneer in a lot of ways,” the spokeswoman said.

“She paved the way for young black women to become broadcasters, and at that time it was not something that happened. She was a role model, someone people could look up to and see what they could accomplish.

“She was a wonderful woman and a caring mother who taught her children about the values of life. She was a single mother at a time when it was very difficult.”

Ms B-Landy, formerly Butterfield, was a fixture of Bermuda radio and television since 1962, when she joined the Capital Broadcasting Company.

Quinton Edness, who worked with Ms B-Landy at Bermuda Broadcasting Company, described her as a “wonderful, friendly person, who worked hard”.

“She was popular and well-liked,” he told The Royal Gazette. “I think she made a lot of friends in her life, wonderful friends.”

He added that she made quite a contribution to sporting life when she was younger, as well as to Bermuda as a whole.

“She was a very good broadcaster,” he added. “She was good in radio and television.”

Rick Richardson, former CEO at Bermuda Broadcasting Company, recalled Ms B-Landy as “the consummate professional when she was on air and when she was working in administration and management”.

He added that she was “by the book” and her deportment, demeanour and speech all bore the hallmark of professionalism.

He said: “She was creative in her writing and mentored a number of young employees at ZBM. She was an amazing woman.”

Mr Richardson explained that Ms B-Landy did the bulk of her broadcasting work with Capital Broadcasting Company before the company became ZBM when it merged with Bermuda Broadcasting Company, where she worked “on a semi-retired” basis for about twelve years.

Longtime co-worker Delano Ingham said Ms Landy was determined to make sure things were done in the proper way and dedicated to helping others.

“She was a pioneer for women in radio broadcast here,” he said. “She was one of the first people on the radio and later on television hosting shows.”

Mr Ingham said Ms B-Landy established herself as the go-to person for live broadcasts including the reconvening of parliament and various parades, and became the programme director for ZFB radio.

“She had a knack for the business,” he said. “She was a great person and a perfectionist. She believed in doing things the right way and she was set on training people to do just that.”

Leola Stovell said she first met Ms B-Landy during a job interview for a post at Capital Broadcasting. Over the years, she said Ms B-Landy trained her in everything from modelling to marketing.

“She was fantastic,” she said. “She knew how to handle people, she knew how to do television and radio and remote broadcasts. She was a well-rounded person.”

Ms Stovell said Ms B-Landy might best be known for her hosting of Good Morning Bermuda on ZFB.

“Everybody that was into anything would be on that show,” she said. “From politicians to entrepreneurs, Marlene introduced them to Bermuda by having them on the show. She was a fantastic person, and was known around the world.”

Ms B-Landy also co-hosted the popular radio show Sixty Something, with Fred Hassell, three days a week for 14 years until 2010.

Mr Hassell said the programme was sponsored by government to reach those over 60 with information on government, public and private sector events and services.

“She was born for her voice to be heard nationally and she had the ingredients for success in the field of broadcasting,” Mr Hassell said.

“We went on to do some beautiful music. She was par excellence when it came to the public presentation of music.”

Mr Hassell said she could work with various genres and was always keen to feature local talent.

“She wasn’t schooled but was born to be able to present to the public,” he added.

Off the air, Ms B-Landy, owned and operated the Bermuda School of Charm and was a founding member of the Bermuda Business and Professional Women’s Club, dedicated to enhancing the status of women in the community.

She also served as a choreographer with the Miss Bermuda Beauty Pageant, was a public relations officer for ZFB and held seats on several government boards.

After retiring from broadcasting, she taught at the Senior’s Learning Centre.

Ms B-Landy’s family also described her as an avid golfer and traveller, with the family spokeswoman saying: “There are not many places she did not go.”