Cabinet is today expected to consider arrangements for the funeral of Lady Gladys Maud Bustamante, widow of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Lady Bustamante died Saturday afternoon in the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies. She was 97.

Information Minister Daryl Vaz told The Gleaner that the prime minister would take the time to discuss the likely input of the Government.

There has been an outpouring of regret at the passing of Lady B.

A void left behind

In one of the latest expressions yesterday during the National Executive Council meeting of the People's National Party (PNP), members observed a minute of silence in honour of the memory of Lady B.

PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill said her death would leave a void that would be very difficult to fill.

"There is absolutely no doubt as to the contribution that Lady B made to Jamaica by way of the trade union and, of course, by way of politics. And I think it is an open secret that she was probably the power behind the throne on both the union and the party," he said.

"She was a tremendous woman, a tremendous lady, a tremendous person and a very charming lady."

Lady Bustamante's contribution to public service started at the age of 19 when in the early 1930s alongside Sir Alexander Bustamante, they exposed the conditions under which workers were employed.

This culminated in the formation of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union in 1938.