Lawmakers paid homage to former legislator Esther Liola Ebanks following her passing on Thursday at the age of 74.
Deputy Speaker Anthony Eden called for a minute of silence at the start of Thursday’s sitting of the House as a mark of respect for her contribution to the Cayman Islands.
Ebanks served in the Legislative Assembly from 1976 to 1980 as a representative for the district of West Bay.
Eden, who served with Ebanks in the House at the time, said she was a great supporter of his and offered his condolences to her family.
“We will certainly miss her. She was a great lady,” he said.
Premier Alden McLaughlin, in paying tribute to Ebanks Thursday, said he was grateful that legislators were able to acknowledge her passing and “to stand as current legislators to mark our respect for her service to the community”.
He said Ebanks was well known to most members.
While she only served one term as a legislator, Ebanks was no stranger to the Legislative Assembly, as she was married to local boxing icon and former legislator Dunstan Dalmain Ebanks.
“She was indeed engaged in the political life of this country for most of her life,” McLaughlin said as he thanked Ebanks and her family for their support personally and for her friendship.
The premier said he has requested that in her honour all Cayman Islands flags be flown at half-mast Thursday and Friday at government buildings and at the Legislative Assembly.
Opposition Leader Arden McLean also shared his condolences and expressed his support to the Ebanks family in their time of grief.
He said he had a good relationship with Ebanks, adding that he knew the loss of the matriarch of the family will leave them “heartbroken in life” as there is no loss like that of a mother.
“You are now in this world by yourself, but make sure you keep your head up and take over that helm that she so graciously laid for you,” McLean said.
George Town South MLA Barbara Conolly stated that Ebanks “was very special to us”.
West Bay North MLA Bernie Bush recounted his conversations with Ebanks, saying that she was not one who held back when she did not approve of his decisions.
“She was a strong, opinionated woman,” he said.
Eden said Ebanks was always at her husband’s side and “together they made a formidable team”.
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