Although Lois Perinchief is no longer the woman in the St. George's mayor's office she continues to be charismatic and is a respected leader.

She resigned as mayor last October but remains an extremely disciplined and talented leader who follows her spiritual beliefs and principals.

Miss Perinchief grew up in St. George's and had the benefit of two wonderful parents, William Robinson and Amy Perinchief, who provided a loving and supportive home for her and her older brother, "Rob'', the late William Robinson Perinchief II.

They enjoyed a lifestyle which was focused on love, respect, education, and spending quality time together.

Miss Perinchief has always been a goal oriented person and her parents encouraged her to set goals and reach them from a very early age.

By the age of ten she was fascinated with postage stamps and started saving all the Bermuda stamps which arrived at their home.

She would soak the stamps on the envelopes and they would slide off easily.

Then she placed them on a board to dry and afterward categorised according to price. They would be bundled up and put into an envelope and sent to Rothsheilds in England who paid her five to 25 shillings.

"Within a year I saved enough to buy my first watch which cost about five pounds. I ordered it by catalog from Samuel's of England and I was so thrilled when it came and my parents were pleased that I had earned it.'' This was a positive learning experience for her, a confidence builder and the start of her work ethic - if you focus on a task and work hard you will become successful. It was also the beginning of her love of watches which would impact her future.

As a young person she was smart with a mechanical aptitude, athletic and ambitious. She attended Albert College in Canada where she excelled in her studies and sports.

She was captain of her basketball team, competed in archery and swimming, and obtained a bronze medal in lifesaving.

"Back then I was a go-getter, had a lot of energy and it was just my nature to be a winner!'' Miss Perinchief wanted to become an engineer but her father did not think it was a suitable job for a woman. She loved watches and decided to use her technical abilities to study horology, the science of watchmaking, at Central Tech School in Toronto.

Following graduation she returned to Bermuda and at age 20 in 1946 opened her own business in St. George's selling jewellry, making watch parts and performing watch repairs.

Her's was the first shop in St. George's to have a watchmaker and she was the first woman horologist in Bermuda.

"My father was very supportive and helped me a bit in the shop with the clocks. In those days I had to make parts for watch repairs, it was not like today where the bits and pieces are already manufactured. The balance staff would be supported with rubies or other jewels to control the pivot of the internal wheel.'' During the 1950s Miss Perinchief was appointed to Bermuda's Social Welfare Board and served for 20 years. She has a strong love for Bermuda, particularly historic St. George's, and enjoys giving back through her commitment to numerous committees and boards.

She served as a Social Trustee to the Bermuda Library and has been on Marine and Ports and Tourism Boards.

In 1967 she was elected to the Corporation of St. George's as a councillor.

She gained considerable experience as a public servant prior to becoming Mayor of St. George's in 1997 and the first woman mayor of Bermuda.

"I felt overwhelmed when I won the Mayor's election. In past years a woman would never have been considered for such a task and I topped the poll!'' Miss Perinchief had a passion for her role as Mayor and loves all aspects of her work. She has met many members of the Royal Family. Another memorable person she recalls meeting is the Right Honourable Dr. Peter Nattrass, Lord Mayor of Perth, Austria.

"If you can see progression it is rewarding. We are progressing. The purpose of the Corporation is to be the administrator of our buildings, parks, wharf, streets and sanitation. We all work together and the Mayor is the head of the Corporation,'' she explained.

Throughout life she has enjoyed many achievements and her talents have been recognised: Became the first woman Justice of the Peace in Bermuda, appointed by Lord Martonmere May 20, 1968.

Appointed as bank director, 1969, one of only three women bank directors of the world at that time.

Empowered as a Member of the British Empire by the Queen in 1987.

When asked to describe herself she said: "I am retired and I am friendly and outgoing. I love animals, enjoy nature, and I delight in seeing flowers in a garden.

Since her retirement she has slowed down considerably and she says that following 50 years of work it is a good miss.

"There is less and less honesty out there and principles and ideals are amiss,'' she said.

The three best things about her retirement are: She does what she wants, when she wants.

She is careful about choices and whether to get involved.

She enjoys her lovely home more and the little jobs she can do around the home. Keeping focused is important to her and she has a daily routine, keeps organised and takes her dog, Chris, on daily walks.

Although you would never know it to look at her, Miss Perinchief underwent open heart surgery last November at Boston's Lahey Medical Centre. "I feel more vulnerable now. Perhaps I can help others facing the same health issues I had. Everyday I am feeling renewed strength. It is a long recovery process.'' Miss Perinchief said that she was so thankful for all the flowers and plants she has received and says they gave her joy and helped her spirit tremendously. "I am so thrilled about St. George's becoming a World Heritage Site! I have always felt that we have a jewel here. People are friendly, relaxed and enthusiastic toward our visitors in St. George's,'' she said.

Although she never married, she is a devoted mother to her adopted son, Larry, a gifted church organist.

"I have a wonderful son and we share a close relationship. He and close family friend, Madelyn Fox, supported me when I was in hospital in Boston.

Having them by my side was vital.'' Miss Perinchief will always be one of St. George's most admired citizens.

"My word is my bond. If I say I'm going to do something, I do it.''