Friendly, feisty and fiercely devoted to her family, former postmistress Marita “Mama Rit” Thompson passed away this month aged 71.

She and her husband, Somerset native Ira “Lissie” Thompson, had two children — deputy pilot warden Mario Thompson and Zoleta Thompson-Smith — as well as five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

“Mum was a bubbly, loving and kind individual. She had high energy and didn’t know how to say no,” her son said, adding that she was a dedicated family woman whose interests included animals and travelling.

Mrs Thompson spent 39 years and nine months with Bermuda’s postal service, and was postmistress of the Mangrove Bay Post Office for 25 years.

She was also a passionate supporter of the Progressive Labour Party, joining with the late “Lissie” in 1968 to become the party’s youngest members.

“Mum believed in empowering people and leadership,” Mr Thompson added. “She was a woman of strong faith and courage.” She served as chairwoman of the PLP’s fundraising committee under four successive Premiers — Dame Jennifer Smith, Alex Scott, Ewart F. Brown and Paula Cox — and was appointed a Justice of the Peace by Dame Jennifer in 2002.

Ms Cox addressed the congregation at Mrs Thompson’s memorial service on Sunday at the New Testament Church of God in Hamilton. She said: “Marita lived a life with impact.

“She was a human dynamo — vibrant, bright, beautiful and joyful with a smile that wouldn’t wait a minute. Her enthusiasm for life never dimmed — it continued right up to the end.”

Ms Cox recalled her friend’s enjoyment of beauty pageants, cricket, tennis (but only when Serena Williams was playing) and golf (but only when Tiger Woods was playing).

She also spoke of Mrs Thompson’s close bond with her sisters Coralie, Edna, Patricia, Margaret and Pearl.

“The sisters were inseparable and generously contributed to Telco’s bottom line by frequently talking on the telephone several times a day,” she said.

The former Premier remembered Mrs Thompson as a “godsend” who had “strength, character and a beauty that radiated from within”.

“She always exited with the statement, ‘I am not here!’,” Ms Cox said. “Marita has made her final exit, but she is still here. We will never forget this rare and unique woman. Her legacy of excellence, sacrificial love and servanthood will live on for ever.”