Official Funeral for late former Speaker Marie Davis Pierre

Roseau, Dominica – Monday, June 2, 2014 – The Government of Dominica has afforded the late Marie Davis Pierre an Official Funeral on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, the Press Attaché Daryl Titre said in a press statement.

The release said the Government has declared Wednesday, June 4, 2014 an official day or mourning as a mark of respect for the late Marie Davis Pierre, former Speaker of the House of Assembly.

The Dominican Flag shall be flown at half-staff on all public buildings in the State on the day of mourning, Wednesday, June 4, 2014.

Marie Davis Pierre served as Speaker of the House of Assembly from August 13, 1980 to December 30, 1988. She has the distinction of being the first female Speaker in Dominica. Before she was elected Speaker, Marie Davis Pierre has a long and distinguished career in the Civil Service as it was called then. She entered the service in 1944, and would later rise to the rank of Deputy Registrar in 1965. As Deputy Registrar, she re-organized the Law Library, Trade Mark Section making the library much easier to use.

In March 1967, she became the first female Clerk of the House of Assembly. As clerk she organized the historic meeting of parliament on the specially built stage at the Windsor Park on the night of Dominica's Independence. As clerk she wrote a book on Parliamentary Practice and Working Methods of the Dominica House of Assembly which was published in 1975.

At the age of 12, Marie Davis Pierre won the single Annual Roseau Town Council Scholarship which was offered to girls for her education at the Convent High School. After leaving school in 1937, she started a kindergarten school called the "St. David School" before joining the Civil Service.

Being a devout catholic Marie Davis Pierre served as a catechist for 56 years and at the same time as a member of the Cathedral Choir. Her love for music is well known and many can recall her musicals, concerts and solo performances in church.

His Excellency, the President and Mrs Savarin, Prime Minister the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit and Mrs Skerrit, and other members of Cabinet, Honourable Alix Boyd-Knights, Speaker and other members of parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other Government Officials are expected to attend the Official Funeral for the late Marie Davis Pierre, the release stated.