Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson gets a hug from 90-year-old Iris Gelly after she gave a thank-you speech at a Christmas treat for senior citizens at Vale Royal in 2005. - file

Iris Gelly, justice of the peace and People's National Party (PNP) stalwart, is dead. Gelly, 92, passed away on Monday.

PNP President Portia Simpson Miller praised Gelly for her commitment to the party.

"'Mother Dear' was a stalwart and icon of the People's National Party, who served with distinction and honour from the time of the party's founding up to her illness and death. She will be sorely missed," Simpson Miller was quoted as saying in a release.

Gelly was born on October 14, 1915, and attended the launch of the PNP at the Ward Theatre on September 18, 1938.

She rose from humble beginnings as an election indoor agent in the central Kingston constituency under the leadership of Wills O. Isaacs. Her political activism continued in the Cross Roads and Trench Town divisions in South St Andrew from 1968 to 1980.

Outstanding service

In 1976, a primary school was built in South St Andrew and named after her, in recognition of her outstanding service to community development.

She became councillor for the Trench Town division from 1981 to 1984 and again from 1986 to 1990.

Gelly was awarded the Order of Distinction for community service.