Some of Bermuda's most influential people paid tribute to Gloria McPhee who died yesterday afternoon at the age of 80.

She was instrumental in the racial integration of Bermuda's schools, helped create the Bermuda College, and was the country's first ever female Government Minister, representing the United Bermuda Party at the time. But those who honoured Mrs. McPhee ? aunt of Progressive Labour Party Premier Ewart Brown ? were of all political stripes.

Last night former Premier Sir John Swan heard the news for the first time from and said immediately: "What a tragedy."

His wife, Lady Swan, was equally surprised to hear the news. Sir John said: "I'd like to extend to Dr. McPhee and the family our condolences on behalf of Lady Swan and our family.

"She was a true Bermudian who believed in Bermuda as a true democracy.

"She worked in a bipartisan way and devoted herself to the political process. She helped to bring Bermuda through an evolving, difficult and maturing process which helped build the foundation of the Bermuda we know today.

"She left a considerable legacy in her commitment to the United Bermuda Party and the country as a whole.

"She'll be looked at as one of the most outstanding Ministers in our history. Bermuda owes her a debt of gratitude."

Mrs. McPhee's husband, Dr. G.B. McPhee spoke lovingly of his wife when contacted at home last night: "She was my whole life ? my great advisor, lover, and friend. She was everything to me. She's a great loss."

Mrs. McPhee is survived by her husband and her two children Karen Juanita McPhee and Kevin Darrell McPhee.

Dr. and Mrs. McPhee met at Howard University in Washington DC and were married there in 1948 right after Mrs. McPhee's graduation.

She had thoughts originally of becoming a dentist, but instead decided to work in her husband's medical practice as a certified laboratory technician.

She was there about a decade until she feel in love with public service.

In 1968 she won her first election as a member of the United Bermuda Party and summarily defeated the Opposition Leader.

Gloria McPhee would never lose an election her entire political career.

The family's lawyer, Julian Hall, often lamented his client wasn't elevated from O.B.E status to Dame.

He said last night in an e-mail message: "The late Sir Henry Tucker described her as the UBP secret weapon and he was absolutely right.

"She was a formidable daughter of the Bermudian soil whose impact on the Bermuda education system and on our understanding of the need to protect and preserve our environment was monumental.

"She was an extremely diligent and hard working servant of the Bermudian people for many years."

After the United Bermuda Party win of 1968, Mrs. McPhee became the first woman appointed to the Cabinet.

Dr. McPhee said: "She was loved by the country, even as a member of the UBP she held the respect of both parties and the unions.

"She was the only full-time politician in her day ? she was doing 60 hours a week.

Current Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert said he had known and respected Mrs. McPhee for decades.

He said: "I'm very sad to hear Gloria McPhee has passed. I entered politics at a very young age, when Gloria McPhee served the people of Hamilton West. I worked very closely with her at the time.

"She helped me get my first education scholarship when she was the Minister of Education. She encouraged me to apply for a teaching scholarship and I received it."

"She was a lady's lady. She spoke well. She was everything that Hamilton Parish really wanted.

"I'm sure she has gone now from her labour to rest."

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced shortly.