Marie Davis Pierre was a former Speaker of the House of Assembly of Dominica.

Early life and education

Mrs. Davis Pierre was born on 12 March 1918 in Dominica to Pauline Charles Davis and William Lionel Davis – both of Point Mitchel. She attended the Convent High School. At the age of 12, Davis-Pierre won the single Annual Roseau Town Council Scholarship which was offered to girls for her education at the Convent High School. After leaving school in 1937, she started a Kindergarten school called the “St. David School” before joining the Civil Service.

Career

Marie Davis Pierre, who had a long distinguished career in the public service after entry in 1944, later rose to the rank of Deputy Registrar in 1965. As Deputy Registrar, she re-organized the Law Library, Trade Mark Section making the library much easier to use.

In 1967, when Dominica attained its new Status as an ''Associated State'' with Great Britain, she was chosen to be Clerk of the House. As Clerk she organized the historic meeting of parliament on the specially built stage at the Windsor Park on the night of Dominica’s Independence. She also wrote a book on Parliamentary Practice and Working Methods of the Dominica House of Assembly which was published in 1975. The Standing Order was revised in 1986.

In December 1978, Mrs. Davis Pierre retired from the Civil Service having reached the retirement age and having given 33 years of service.

Pierre served as Speaker from August 1980 to December 1988. She was appointed to that position by Dame Mary Eugenia Charles in 1980 when she became Dominica’s first female prime minister at the helm of a Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) administration.

Personal life

Marie Davis Pierre was also a devout Catholic and served as Catechist for 56 years and a member of the Cathedral Choir.

Death

Marie Davis-Pierre passed away on Saturday, 24 May 2014. She was 96. The Government of Dominica declared Wednesday, 4 June 2014, an official day of mourning as a mark of respect for the late Mrs. Davis Pierre. Her official funeral was held on 4 June 2014 at the St. Gerard’s Hall Chapel. Her body was laid to rest at Roseau Roman Catholic Cemetery.

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