Few women in Jamaican public life made the impact and left the indelible mark on the nation that Lady Bustamante did. In her quiet, unassuming manner, she wielded strong influence in the two areas of public life with which she was associated: politics and trade unionism. Although not actively engaged in politics, she ran once, unsuccessfully, in a parliamentary election. She was, nevertheless, a powerful behind-the-scenes figure in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), founded by her beloved 'Chief', Sir Alexander Bustamante.

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Tribute from Bruce Golding, prime minister of Jamaica

The passing of Lady Bustamante has taken from us the most enduring icon of Jamaica's political struggles. She was the widow of our great National Hero, Sir Alexander Bustamante, but she was a heroine in her own right, having been in the front line of the fight to secure and defend the rights of the worker in the 1930s.

She remained engaged throughout her active life and, even up to her death, she was a trustee of the Jamaica Labour Party and an honourary treasurer of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU).

Jamaicans reserved a special place in their hearts for 'Lady B' and she enjoyed the love and adoration of Jamaicans from all walks of life and all political persuasions.

We are deeply saddened by her passing but we are an immensely richer country and people for the life she lived and the completeness with which that life was dedicated to the people of Jamaica.

An announcement will be made shortly of the arrangements being planned for the nation she served so well to bid her its final farewell.

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JLP mourns Lady Bustamante's passing

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is deeply saddened by the death of Lady Gladys Bustamante, the widow of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Lady Bustamante's contribution to the political development of Jamaica is inestimable as, not only did she provide outstanding support to Sir Alexander in his advocacy on behalf of the workers, but was herself a champion of many causes.

The general secretary of the JLP, Minister Karl Samuda, in a tribute, said "Lady B, as she was affectionately known to all, was unselfish in her service and contribution to the party, we could always rely on her sage advice when there were issues to be resolved. Long after she left the public stage and even during her illness, she continued to be a trustee of the Jamaica Labour Party and was a source of inspiration.

"She can truly be called the matriarch of the JLP. Her passing represents the end of The Era in our political development. We will miss her."

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A champion has passed

Lady Bustamante, widow of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante, died yesterday afternoon in the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies. She was 97 years old.

Seragh Lakasingh, who, with his wife Essie, was her caregiver, said that she was taken to hospital at 2 p.m. with a high fever and died at 4:40 p.m.

The Government is to make funeral announcement, but it is likely that she will be buried beside Sir Alexander at National Heroes Park.