Official Funeral for Violet Neilson is Today

The Government has accorded an Official Funeral for late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Violet Neilson, CD.

The service will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall, St. James on Monday, July 8, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Mrs. Neilson passed away on June 11, 2024, at age 92.

Her record of public service spanned 13 years, between 1989 and 2002.

She was Member of Parliament (MP) for St. James East Central and held several positions in government up to 1993.

These include Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Development, Planning and Production; Ministry of Education; and Ministry of Health.

After successfully contesting the St. James East Central seat in the 1993 General Election, Mrs. Neilson was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, serving in that position until 1997.

Mrs. Neilson created history following the national polls in 1997, when she was the first female elevated to House Speaker after retaining her St. James East Central seat. She served in the Lower House’s highest position until 2002.

The late former parliamentarian also held the distinction of being the Jamaica Agricultural Society’s (JAS) first female President.

Mrs. Neilson, a native of Somerton, St. James, attended Mico Teachers’ College (now Mico University College), and returned to her community to work as a teacher, serving the education system for 19 years.

In 1997, Mrs. Neilson was awarded the National Honour of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD), in recognition of her outstanding contribution in the areas of Education, Agriculture and Community Service.

Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives paid tribute to Mrs. Neilson during sittings on June 11 and June 25, respectively