Vina Outerbridge, a popular waitress and winner of Bermuda’s top hospitality award, has been remembered by MPs as a “no-nonsense woman who took pride in her work”.

Giovanna Easton, one of the proprietors of the Speciality Inn where she worked for 22 years, said Ms Outerbridge had “a heart of gold”.

Progressive Labour Party MP Kim Swan told Friday’s House of Assembly that one of Ms Outerbridge’s proudest moments had been serving former president Jimmy Carter. Clint Eastwood was another of her notable patrons at the Collectors Hill eatery, a family business with a loyal following.

Ms Easton described her colleague as “part of the family — a loving, genuine person; a hard worker who loved her family and loved her customers”.

“We used to call her CNN; she knew everything that was going on, and she kept in contact after she retired eight years ago. She wanted to be in the scoop of things.”

Nominated in 2004 for a Visitor Industry Partnership commendation, Ms Outerbridge took the island’s top hospitality prize in the following year: the Best of the Best award, with a $20,000 prize.

“It’s nice to be nice to tourists,” Ms Outerbridge told this newspaper on that occasion.

“Some are really friendly. I ask them where they are from and if it is their first time in Bermuda. I might forget them, but they remember me.”

Describing herself as a people person, she said: “I love to talk and meet new people.

“When the kids come into the restaurant, I give them hugs and kisses. They are like my grandchildren.”

Ms Outerbridge’s hospitality career spanned nearly 45 years, including establishments such as Mannie’s, the Buckaroo, the Arcade Restaurant and the Horse and Buggy, before she joined the Speciality Inn in 1987.

Ms Easton said that when she had started work there, Ms Outerbridge had taught her “how we do things at the Speciality Inn”.

“She was regimental, and she would put you in your place if she needed, and tell you things as they were,” Ms Easton added.

“She was a hard worker and it had to be done her way, but we loved her.”

Meeting Mr Carter in 2000 came about via his son, Jack Carter, a regular at the diner. Ms Outerbridge recalled him as “friendly and down-to-earth” — while Mr Eastwood was “nice, but kind of shy”.

Ms Outerbridge died at the age of 73 on September 14.

Closing his tribute in the House of Assembly, Mr Swan said: “She will be sorely missed — she was very straightforward and forthcoming.”