Former Oppositon Leader Dame Lois Browne-Evans died early this morning of a suspected stroke. 1927-2007

Dame Lois Browne-Evans on being called to the Bar. She was the first female barrister in Bermuda.

Dame Lois Browne-Evans, the leader of the Progressive Labour Party for much of the 1970s and 1980s and Bermuda's first female Attorney General, died early this morning of a suspected stroke. She was 79.

A statement from the Cabinet Office said Dame Lois, who would have celebrated her 80th birthday on June 1, was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital last night. She passed away a short time later at 12:55 a.m.

Dame Lois was Bermuda's first female barrister, Bermuda's first female Attorney General, and the first woman to become Opposition Leader in a British Commonwealth country when she became leader of the PLP in 1968. She served as leader until 1972 and again from 1976 to 1985.

At a press conference at Cabinet Office this morning Premier Ewart Brown said: “Last night our nation lost a piece of its soul.

“Dame Lois taught so many of us what it means to fight and win. She was a sister of the struggle and at times the struggle was violent.

“But like Martin Luther King, Dame Lois did not wage the struggle with her fists, she did it with words. She always honoured democracy and she always bowed to the law – even when Lady Justice seemed to betray her.”

He added: “She was champion for justice – not just for blacks, but for all people.”

Today Dame Lois' family members were flying back to Bermuda and her husband John Evans said: "She was a lovely person and I am very sad that she has died."

The Premier has requested all flags be lowered to half staff. Flags at all Government buildings have already been lowered in honour of Dame Lois.

A condolence book was set to be available for signing at the Cabinet Office from lunchtime today. It will be available during normal business hours for members of the public to pay their respects.

At the wishes of the family, Dame Lois' 80th planned birthday celebration on Friday has been cancelled and a state funeral is being planned. The Cabinet today voted to make the day of Dame Lois' funeral a public holiday.

Last night Chief Justice Richard Ground said: “Her history is in many ways the history of Bermuda. Her contribution to justice in Bermuda is immeasurable. The legal community has lost one of its leading lights.

See www.theroyalgazette.com for more coverage and tomorrow's Royal Gazette for full coverage and tributes

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