Nation Says Farewell to Speaker

The Cayman Islands will honour the late speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Edna Marie Moyle, OBE, JP, with a ceremonial lowering of government flags, followed by the first ever lying-in-state at the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

On Saturday, June 1, a state funeral will be preceded by a funeral cortege from George Town to North Side.

Thursday’s events will begin at 9.00 am, with a ceremonial lowering to half-mast of the Cayman Islands’ flag outside the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue. This will be attended by members of the family, but is also open to members of the public. In honour of Mrs Moyle, the civil service will simultaneously observe a minute of silence.

Later that morning, senior government officials will pay their respects, at the start of an official lying-in-state that will continue from 10.00am until 3.00pm. During this time, members of the public are invited to attend the Legislative Assembly building to file past the coffin. A guard-of-honour from the police, prison and fire services will watch over the proceedings.

Only current and former post-holders of the most senior public service positions are entitled to receive this honour. These include the Governor, the Premier and former Leaders of Government Business, the Chief Justice, the Speaker, as well as the Deputy Governor.

On Saturday, June 1, a hearse carrying Mrs Moyle will follow a processional route from George Town to the Clifton Hunter High School in Frank Sound. The official funeral will begin at 3.00pm, and will be followed by burial at the W.O. Chisholm family cemetery in Grapetree Point, North Side.

Mrs Moyle represented the district of North Side in the Legislative Assembly from 1992-2009 and served as a Cabinet Minister from 2000-2001. She also served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 2005-2009.

Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, who has responsibility for the Protocol Office, urges members of the public to attend the public events in memory of Mrs Moyle’s role in the development of the country and her contributions to its people.

“Members of the Legislative Assembly are responsible for the introduction of laws that govern our society, and Cabinet Ministers set policies that affect each and every one of us.  As a MLA who was also a Minister and Speaker, Mrs Moyle had a particularly significant role to play. It is fitting that the country should mark her passing in this way,” Mr Rose remarked.

The funeral will be rebroadcast on CIGTV20 at a date to be announced.