The first annual Dame Lois Browne-Evans memorial event was held yesterday, the day she would have turned 81.

Dame Lois, who will be the first person recognised by the new holiday National Heroes Day, was Bermuda's first female barrister, Bermuda's first female Attorney General, and the first woman to become Opposition Leader in a British Commonwealth country when she became leader of the PLP in 1968.

Dame Lois died at the age of 79 on May 29 last year

Yesterday began with a church service at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Dundonald Street, Hamilton where her daughter Tina Evans-Caines spoke

Shortly before 2 p.m. the gathering moved to St. John's Church, Pembroke for a wreath-laying ceremony at her grave, before heading to the Devonshire Recreation Club for a "family-themed lunch".

The Premier, who spoke at the service, said: "It hardly seems possible that a whole year has passed since we bade her farewell. I recall the wave of emotion that overcame the Island when we woke that Tuesday morning to the news that "the Dame" had been called from labour to reward. As the Cabinet gathered it was clear to me that the indelible mark of her life and example would have to be marked in a way as unique as the woman herself.

" Dame Lois was a woman of politics and the cut and thrust of debate was her life-blood. She enriched the House with her presence, she could always be counted on to liven, enlighten and yes, occasionally provide a history lesson when on her feet. Even after she retired and came occasionally to visit us, there was no mistake that she was holding court in the coffee room.

Dame Lois served as leader of the Progressive Labour Party from 1968 to1972 and again from 1976 to 1985.

Speaking of the decision to phase out the Queen's Birthday holiday in June and create a National Heroes Day in October, the Premier said: "I overheard a conversation a few days ago in which some people were discussing the Dame and it made me proud. One woman said to another 'there are two dates like that, and I will always remember exactly what I was doing — when John F. Kennedy died and when Dame Lois died'. That for me, says it all.

"That is why this Government made the bold step to declare a National Heroes Day. Lois Browne-Evans was a hero of this country and it would be wrong of us to package our celebration of her life and work in the shortest month of the year, at the most convenient time for those who are more guided by capitalism than culture. I look forward to the passage of the Act in Parliament that will make this day a reality."

The first National Heroes Day will be on Monday, October 13.