Caricom Secretary-General Edwin Carrington has hailed the contributions of late former president Janet Jagan to Guyana, saying hers was “truly a life lived for her people” in a message of condolence.

Although Jagan was born in the USA she devoted her life to the development of the Guyanese culture and people, particularly the women. In pursuit of that goal she co-founded the People’s Progressive Party, along with her late husband Dr Cheddi Jagan, himself a former President of Guyana, the release said. The Secretary-General also said Jagan, “served her country in tumultuous times and displayed a fortitude and uncompromising commitment to her ideals which ensured she maintained her focus through the most difficult of circumstances.”

Through the party Jagan “waged a tireless struggle to improve the lives of Guyanese,” a struggle which earned her the nation’s highest award, the Order of Excellence in 1995 and its highest office, the presidency, in 1997.

Carrington also lauded Jagan’s “abiding love for journalism” which she demonstrated through her editing of the party paper the Mirror and even more so after demitting office.

He noted too that Jagan was a devoted mother of two children and a grandmother as well as a devoted wife to her late husband. Her invaluable contribution to Guyana will long be remembered. Carrington extended condolences to Jagan’s family, the government and citizens on behalf of the Community and the Secretariat.