The death has occurred of well-known theatre personality Elsbeth Gibson, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 87.

A popular and much-loved actress, producer and director on the local entertainment scene, Mrs. Gibson was regarded as ?the Grand Dame of theatre? and ?the First Lady of fashion? ? the latter in reference to the fashion shows she organised and presented for many years for the Department of Tourism and other organisations.

As tributes poured in last evening, it was clear that not only had she touched countless lives with her warm and caring ways, but also launched and encouraged the careers of many local entertainers and actors.

Popular entertainer Gene Steede was just 17 when his talent was spotted by Mrs. Gibson and her late husband Don.

?They gave me my start,? Mr. Steede remembered. ?Elsbeth bought me my first bongo drums and my first theatrical outfit to wear on stage. She was the love of my life and a joy to be around. She was wonderful, and a great star. She and her husband were just good people who really cared.?

Fittingly perhaps, Mr. Steede and fellow entertainer June Caisey were with Mrs. Gibson in her final moments.

?I saw that she was not too strong and I sang ?I Will Never Say No? to her,? Mr. Steede said.

?Elsbeth was a beautiful, warm and elegant lady who was like a second mother to me,? Ms Caisey said. ?She used to hold my daughter Phiemma in her arms and feed her while I was performing on stage. She was a cherished friend as well as a supporter of myself and all the local artists. She and her husband Don heard me sing at a funeral and asked me to become part of their Gulfstream Revue, which was renamed the Holiday Island Revue, which is how I got started. Later on, she attended every Caisey family show. At the last I sang her favourite song to her: ?My Colouring Book?.?

In paying tribute to his long-time friend, actor Gavin Wilson said, ?It is the death of an icon. Elsbeth was an absolute professional, who expected the same standard of others. Together with her husband Don they changed the face of local theatre forever.

?Although I love my mother dearly, I always thought Elsbeth would be the coolest mother in the world.?

In recalling the former board member of the Bermuda Performing Arts Association, founder John White, perhaps best summed up Mrs. Gibson when he said: ?She was a national treasure.?

American-born Mrs. Gibson studied acting at the University of Washington, where she was twice voted ?Best Actress?, and won the National Collegiate Prize.

She went on to perform in many productions, and was the star of the very first TV soap opera, ?the Laytons?.

She made her Bermuda debut as Elsbeth Hoffman at the Bermudiana Theatre in 1954, and was the leading lady in many of its productions.

She went to to co-produce the original plays ?This Island?s Mine? and ?My Heart Stays Here? for Bermuda?s 350th anniversary celebrations.

She and her husband formed Donel Productions, and were also responsible for bringing Harvard University?s Hasty Pudding Theatricals to Bermuda. In all, Mrs. Gibson appeared in over 200 professional productions throughout her career, of which ?Driving Miss Daisy? and ?The Silk Pantaloon? were the most recent. Her last performance with her husband was in ?On Golden Pond? in 1983.

So legendary was Mrs. Gibson, in fact, that when she accidentally fell from the stage at the Hamilton Princess Hotel?s Gazebo Room, a commemorative plaque was erected at the site. Her surprise 80th birthday at the same venue was a gala event, bringing together entertainers and others in a host of tributes and performances spanning several hours.

Mrs. Gibson was a board member of the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda and the Bermuda Civic Ballet. Among the many awards she garnered during her lifetime was the Queen?s Certificate and Badge of Honour, the Bermuda Arts Council?s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Department of Tourism?s Hospitality Award. In 1994 she was voted Pink Lady of the Year for her work with the Women?s Hospitals Auxiliary, and most recently worked part time at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

Among those mourning her loss are son Neil, daughter Laurel Elsbeth (Laurie), and grandchildren Neil, Jakub, Luna and Jodie. Funeral arrangements are pending.