A national day of mourning will be marked on Friday as Cayman says its final farewell to National Hero Sybil Ione McLaughlin.
McLaughlin, who passed away on 10 May and was affectionately known as Ms Sybil in the community, was Cayman’s first Speaker of the House.
McLaughlin lay in state at the House of Parliament on Thursday, 19 May, ahead of her official funeral Friday.
Cayman Islands flags will also be flown at half-mast all-day Friday, in honour of McLaughlin.
Government Information Services said that a minute of silence will be marked across the three islands at 9am on Friday to honour McLaughlin.
“Members of the public are asked to pay their respects to the beloved departed National Hero and join in the official Day of Mourning by observing a minute of silence at 9 am on the day,” the statement added.
All radio stations have been asked to pause their broadcasts for one minute of silence at that time.
All uniform branches have been requested to wear black armbands or ribbons on the day as well.
Procession, hero’s farewell planned
The official funeral service for Cayman’s national hero will take place at Elmslie Memorial United Church from 1pm.
After the conclusion of the service, a ‘Hero’s Farewell’ will take place at Heroes Square, which will include a 21-gun salute by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.
“The emotive cadences of the Last Post and Reveille will also be sounded. The official flag draping the casket will be removed, folded and presented to the family,” the statement said.
Acting Governor Franz Manderson, Premier Wayne Panton and other current and former Members of Parliament are expected to attend.
The final funeral procession will move from Heroes Square through South Church Street, turn on to Walkers Road past McLaughlin’s home and then on to Bodden Funeral Home.
No graveside service will be held.
McLaughlin was one of two national icons the islands lost last week, the other being Arley James Miller, Cayman’s last surviving vestryman, who died on Sunday, 8 May.
McLaughlin was the first clerk and the first Speaker of the House at the Legislative Assembly.
She also received an MBE in 1967 for organising the first Commonwealth Parliamentary Association regional conference held in the Cayman Islands.
She was declared a National Hero in 1996, the second individual to receive that honour, after the late Jim Bodden in 1994.
McLaughlin was the first living person and the first woman to be so honoured by the Cayman Islands government.
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