Prime Minister Gaston Browne paid tribute to former senator Mary Clare Hurst, describing her as a loyal Labour Party stalwart, former schoolmate and “sister friend” whose service to Antigua and Barbuda left a lasting legacy.

Browne said Hurst had been a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party from her youth and remained faithful to the party until her death.

“She was more than a political supporter and officer of our party. She was a stalwart,” Browne said.

He praised Hurst as a woman of conviction, courage and unwavering loyalty, saying she stood firm during difficult periods and remained committed to the ideals of the Labour movement, including fairness, opportunity, empowerment, inclusivity and national progress.

Browne said Hurst served the country with dignity and discipline as a minister of state and understood that public office was “not about privilege, but about service.”

He also recalled her support during internal party struggles, saying she believed in his leadership and became his “sister warrior” during the Labour Party’s 2005 convention.

“I will miss her immensely,” Browne said.

The prime minister extended condolences to Hurst’s family and thanked them for sharing her with the Labour family and the nation.

“Thank you for your friendship and loyal support. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your patriotism to our party and country,” Browne said.

He said Hurst would be remembered for her grace, quiet strength, commitment to service and dedication to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

Full Tribute by Prime Minister Gaston Browne

Comrades,

We are gathered here this evening, with heavy hearts and profound sadness.

But, we are here also with profound gratitude; as we pay tribute to our fallen comrade, a loyal daughter of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, and a devoted servant of the people of Antigua and Barbuda — Comrade Maryclare Hurst.

Maryclare Hurst was a member of the ABLP from the time she was a juvenile and she remained a true and faithful comrade up to the time of her passing.

She was more than a political supporter and officer of our party.

She was a stalwart.

A woman of conviction.

A woman of courage.

A woman whose loyalty to the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party was unwavering through triumph and challenge alike.

She was kind and would have nurtured many, most of whom fondly called her Tanty.

She believed in my leadership and became my sister warrior in the Labour Party’s 2005 Convention.

During the past couple of decades, we fought and won many battles within and without the ABLP.

I will miss her immensely.

She believed deeply in the ideals of the Labour movement — fairness, opportunity, empowerment of ordinary people, inclusivity, and national progress.

And she lived by our party’s creed: believing in the empowerment of our people, the principles of good governance, the elimination of poverty, the provision of full employment and equality of opportunity and justice.

So she did not merely speak those ideals; she lived them through service, sacrifice, and steadfast commitment.

As a Minister of State, she served our country with dignity and discipline. She carried herself with humility and determination.

Maryclare understood that public office is not about privilege, but about service, about responsibility to our people.

In every assignment entrusted to her, she worked diligently and sought to uplift others and to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Maryclare was dependable.

She was grounded. And she was fiercely committed to the institution she loved.

In political life, loyalty is often tested.

Many stand firm only in moments of comfort and success.

However, true comrades reveal themselves during difficult periods — when sacrifice is required, when criticism is loud, and when perseverance matters most.

I recall that after the 2023 elections, there were many who joined our opponents to ridicule us, while others went into hiding.

Comrade Maryclare Hurst and many of you present this evening stood firm.

She remained loyal to the Party, loyal to its leadership, and loyal to the vision of progress and development for Antigua and Barbuda.

Her passing is therefore not only a loss to her family and friends, but also to the wider Labour family and to the nation she served with distinction.

We will remember her not simply for the positions she held, but for the quality of her character:

her grace,

her quiet strength,

her commitment to service,

and her enduring belief in people.

She leaves behind a legacy of dedication and patriotism that will continue to inspire generations of Labourites and young women entering public life.

To her family, we extend our deepest condolences and prayers.

We thank you for sharing her with us and we pray that Almighty God grants you strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time.

And to my dear departed comrade, former school mate, and sister friend, I say:

Thank you for your friendship and loyal support.

Thank you for your service.

Thank you for your patriotism to our party and country.

Thank you for your contribution to the advancement of our nation.

You have fought the good fight.

You have kept the faith.

Well done thou good and faithful servant.

May your legacy endure in the history of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party and in the hearts of our people.

May the soul of our fallen Comrade, Maryclare Hurst rest in eternal peace and rise in glory.