Hundreds of mourners turned up to pay their last respects to Dr Lucille Maude Mathurin Mair at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Chapel on Friday afternoon.

The 85-year-old Mair was eulogised as hard-working, charismatic and a champion for women.

Professor Rex Nettleford, pro-vice chancellor at the UWI, alluded to her sterling contribution to the university. He said she has left an indelible mark on the lives of many.

"She was gentle and loyal to her friends and persons she trusted and more so, she mentored many young persons she thought had a bright future," Nettleford said.

He added that the stern leadership style Mair displayed while at the institution paid off, although many considered it to be too firm.

Mair had a long and rewarding association with the UWI, serving as lecturer, first warden of the Women's Hall of Residence and in her post-retirement years as the first head of its Women and Development Programme. She was instrumental in the establishment and success of this programme.

She worked with diligence to impact in positive ways the lives of women in the Caribbean as a regional coordinator of the Women and Development Studies Unit of the UWI.

Extraordinary achievements

Her career of committed service and extraordinary achievements in the realms of diplomacy, development and women's advancement won her local, regional and international recognition.

Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson praised her spectacular achievements as a scholar, teacher, mentor, ambassador and mother. He said her service as warden at the UWI was tremendous.

"No one was more fitting to be the first female warden of the Mary Seacole Hall at the university. She had done a good job in taking care of the welfare of the students," Patterson declared.

David Mathurin described his mother as an awesome individual who was a family person.

"Despite my mother's busy schedule, her best time was when she was with her family and friends when she would motivate and inspire us, so we could recognise our full potential," Mathurin said.

He said giving up was not an option for his God-fearing mother, who was highly dedicated to the growth and development of her children.

"The discipline she instilled in us is the reason we are who we are today, the children of the Caribbean," he continued.

Reading the first and second lessons were Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Portia Simpson Miller, leader of the opposition.

Mair died on January 29. Her body was cremated.