Progressive Labour Party colleagues from across the generations united yesterday in an outpouring of affection for Dame Lois Browne Evans who led the party.

Premier Ewart Brown said: “Just three days before her 80th birthday Dame Lois Browne Evans was called home. And already she is missed. Today— Bermuda mourns.”

Dr. Brown said Dame Lois had made history and headlines as effortlessly as a musician makes music. “And in the end her life was an opera complete with drama and tragedy and triumph.

“We are truly fortunate to have watched and listened as her opera played — from start to finish over eight sparkling decades. She had an acute sense of timing and was an agent of fundamental change.

“She taught us so much. And her lessons will live on — but only if we promise to keep them alive.”

Premier Brown urged parents to tell their children the story of Lois Browne Evans who he described as “our country’s matriarch”.

He added: “Tell them how she was unafraid, how she shattered glass ceilings and battled racism. How she empowered women, even as she uplifted black men. Tell them how she won the seat they told her she couldn’t win in 1963, how she selflessly served the people of Devonshire North for 35 years. Tell them how she was a champion of justice, not just for blacks, but for all people.

“Tell them she was beloved by the masses and honoured by the Queen of England. Then tell your children— remind them— that you were a firsthand witness to the life of Bermuda’s greatest heroine. Because that’s what she was.”

On behalf of the Cabinet, who flanked him at a special press conference yesterday, the Premier offered thoughts and prayers to Dame Lois’ family — especially her beloved children: Donald, Tina, and Nadine.

Labour and Immigration Minister Derrick Burgess said he had been lucky enough to accompany Dame Lois to the Caribbean with the Bermuda Independence Commission.

“Words can’t even describe the experience I had on that trip with her. She was well respected throughout the Caribbean. Everybody, young and old, knew her, it made meetings that much easier.

“She had a brilliant mind. If you knew her — you couldn’t dislike her. She was always one that wanted our folks to abide by the law even though the law may have been bad. She upheld law.

“She has left a void in my heart that I am not going to be able to talk to or see Dame Lois anymore.”

Mr. Burgess said the Dame was very funny. “When the Dame was around in social gatherings it was always a laugh. You could tease her, she would tease you. She made you feel like we were all equal — not that she was a Dame and this was a person you had to look up to — even though you did. You could feel very at ease. I loved her dearly.”

Public Safety and Housing Minister David Burch said he had known Dame Lois for about 40 years — long before he entered the political arena.

“She was bigger than life. We argued, we debated, we talked, we did everything but I guess the thing we did the most was laugh.

“She loved life and lived it to its fullest and I think that she passed with no real suffering or long sickness, I think she went probably the way she would want to go — full of life looking forward to a great celebration. We will miss her.”

Asked about the funny times Sen. Burch recalled a youth parliament debate decades ago, attended by Dame Lois’ daughter. “Dame Lois decided to stay and see what we were talking about and we were talking about sexual relations — something outrageous for teenagers.

“She was like ‘I am not leaving my child here’ and sat and stayed during the whole debate and chaperoned us all around the place because we seemed to have other things than political debates on our minds. There are countless stories.”

Education and Sports Minister Randy Horton said: “The Honourable Dame Lois Browne-Evans was beyond question a true national treasure and a historic figure who will long be remembered as both a passionate advocate for the betterment of the lives of the people of Bermuda and a passionate mother to her family, the party she loved and her wider community.

“It remains impossible to speak about politics, labour, Government, party or the issues and rights of women without uttering or remembering the name of the Grande Dame of Politics, the Honourable Dame Lois Brown-Evans.”

Former PLP MP and Senator Cal Smith had only good words to say about Dame Lois — despite the fact he had once been expelled from the party under her leadership, later to find out to his great relief Dame Lois had not voted for the expulsion even though the majority of her colleagues had.

“Her major contribution to Bermuda was her unrelenting efforts in the interests of democracy by heading the fight for one person, one vote of equal value.”

Mr. Smith said Dame Lois was helped by strong family roots including her father, a successful construction firm owner, who was also a quiet but firm proprietor of the Clay House Inn.

“She came from a very pugnacious family — I don’t mean in a bullying sense but people who would stand no nonsense.”

Mr. Smith began his schooling at Berkeley just as Dame Lois was finishing up there.

“I used to watch her play netball. Everyone stayed away from her — she was rough.”

And Mr. Smith said she took that same formidable approach into the court room and elsewhere. “She didn’t back down from anyone.”

And that toughness was needed in tough times — during her career Dame Lois became the target of intimidation when she campaigned against the decision of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to ban Dr. Barbara Ball from the premises after she played a major part in the campaign for universal adult suffrage.

Dame Lois received a bullet in her mail and a warning to stop speaking at public meetings in support of Dr. Ball. Security was stepped up but the campaign continued.

Mr. Smith said as well as enjoying a distinguished career Dame Lois had intensely tutored and groomed many of the future leaders of the PLP including Freddie Wade, Jennifer Smith and Alex Scott.

Despite her total commitment to worthy causes Mr. Smith noted Dame Lois was careful not to let her home life suffer and was able to keep a strong family unit together.

“Most people who get into politics find it loosens the family relationships. She must have gone out of her way to nurture them and develop them.”

Author and journalist Ira Philip said: “She was a great inspiration. A person of international consequence and a trailblazer. “Her passing should produce a time for reflection on all that she represented and how she did it fearlessly with great courage.”

A statement from the Progressive Labour Party spokesperson said: “It is with profound regret and deep sadness that we mourn the passing of our esteemed former leader, Dame Lois Browne Evans. Her astuteness, quick wit and oratorical skills propelled her to the forefront of local politics, and her passing leaves a painful void.

“The Party Leader, Chairman, Executive and general membership of the Party extend heartfelt condolences to her family and friends at this time of bereavement.”