Candlelight Vigil Honors Mary Clare Hurst’s Political Legacy and Personal Impact

A sea of candles, songs, prayers and emotional tributes filled the night as supporters of the governing Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party gathered to honor the life and legacy of former Senator Mary Claire Hurst, remembered throughout the vigil as a political warrior, mentor and unifying force whose influence stretched from grassroots communities to national institutions.  

The nearly two-hour vigil featured speeches from Labour Party branches, union representatives, musicians, family friends and political allies, many of whom described Hurst — affectionately known as “Tanti” or “MC” — as the backbone of the party during some of its most difficult years.  

One of the night’s most significant announcements came from the Antigua Port Authority, where Hurst served as chairperson for years. General Manager Dalma Tulliman revealed that the authority’s main administrative building will be renamed in her honor.  

“With the permission of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, it has been agreed that that huge big building, the three floors, that now houses the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority and the Antigua and Barbuda Customs, will no longer be the administrative building,” Tulliman said. “We will call it the Mary Claire Hurst MC Administrative Building.”  

Tulliman credited Hurst with helping transform the Port Authority from a struggling institution into what he described as one of the Caribbean’s leading ports. He recalled her leadership during difficult periods marked by unpaid retirees, financial challenges and organizational instability.  

“She flew around the world to help design it. She helped shape what we saw and the edifice you see now has the influence of a strong dedicated woman,” he said.  

The tribute also highlighted her determination despite illness. Tulliman recounted an occasion when Hurst, despite struggling physically, still attempted to attend a meeting because she refused to stay home.  

Across the vigil, speaker after speaker described Hurst as someone who moved seamlessly between high office and ordinary communities, never losing touch with people at the grassroots level.

A representative from the St. John’s City West branch said Hurst “became family to an entire nation” and noted that countless people received jobs, opportunities and encouragement through her support.  

“She did not help people for praise. She helped people because she believed it was the right thing to do,” the speaker said. “No matter who you were, no matter where you came from, she treated people with dignity.”  

The speaker also reflected on Hurst’s role in keeping the Labour Party united during years in opposition after the party’s 2004 election defeat.  

“She fought battles that many people will never fully understand. She stood firm when others gave up,” the tribute said.  

Several speakers focused heavily on Hurst’s commitment to youth development and political continuity within the Labour Party and the Antigua Trades and Labour Union.

A representative from St. John’s Rural East described many of the party’s younger leaders and senators as products of Hurst’s mentorship.  

“When you look around today, when you look at the individuals that led the last election where we won 15 seats, it was led by the children, so to speak, of Tanti,” the speaker said. “People that she nurtured, people that she brought up.”  

Another tribute from St. John’s Rural North said Hurst understood “continuity” and intentionally prepared younger generations for leadership within both the party and the labor movement.  

“Mary Claire understood continuity and as such, she developed and prepared the younger ones to begin to embrace and to take over,” the speaker said.  

The same speaker described her as someone who maintained a close understanding of every constituency across Antigua and Barbuda, comparing her political instincts to those of national hero V.C. Bird.  

The vigil also revealed lesser-known aspects of Hurst’s life beyond politics.

Longtime football administrator Luther Lee recounted her involvement with Villa Lions Football Club, describing her as one of the first women to serve in football administration in Antigua and Barbuda.  

Lee praised her negotiating skills during disciplinary matters involving the club and said she helped instill professionalism and organization within the team.  

“She was the very first person to serve in the administration of football in Antigua,” Lee said to applause from the crowd.  

The evening frequently shifted between grief and celebration as tributes were delivered through music, dance and prayer. Speakers recalled Hurst’s love for reggae, sports, choir music and community gatherings.  

Members of the Labour Party choir — which Hurst helped found — performed several songs, including Bob Marley classics “Three Little Birds” and “No Woman, No Cry.”  

One choir representative described Hurst as “a light” whose laughter and spirit would continue through the group she helped build.  

“Tonight’s tribute is even more special because this choir she founded carries her voice, her passion, and her spirit forward,” the speaker said.  

Prayer also formed a central part of the vigil, with one speaker noting that Hurst never began executive meetings without prayer.  

The prayer tribute described her life as one marked by “love, strength, encouragement, commitment, sacrifice,” while praising the “quiet, countless sacrifices she made that have shaped many generations.”  

By the end of the ceremony, many speakers urged supporters not only to mourn Hurst, but to continue the work she championed.

“This evening we cry, but tomorrow we get back to work,” one tribute declared.  

Another speaker summed up the mood of the night by telling supporters that Hurst’s legacy would survive through the people and institutions she helped shape.  

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