Politicians have paid tribute to the first-ever female States Greffier after the news of her recent death was announced in the Chamber.
States Members stood for a minute’s silence this morning to honour Mary Newcombe following a speech by Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae.
Mr MacRae said Miss Newcombe had been brought up in London and in Llanelli, south Wales during the war when she was evacuated.
She came to Jersey in 1963, aged 26, to stay with family members on what was originally intended to be a two-week visit en route for emigration to Canada, but in the end had never left the island after obtaining work for the builders merchant JW Huelin.
In 1968, Miss Newcombe was appointed a committee clerk, becoming chief committee clerk 13 years later.
She was then appointed Deputy Greffier in 1991 before becoming the first female States Greffier in 2000, holding the role for two years until her retirement, subsequently being elected as a Jurat, a position she held for five years.
Mr MacRae described Mis Newcombe as “genuine, loyal and kind, and an inspiration to other women in the public sector”.
He added that a room in the States Assembly building had been named in her honour last year.
All Members would wish to join him, Mr MacRae concluded, in expressing their condolences to members of Miss Newcombe’s family.