GLOWING tributes couched in genuine superlative terms were showered on Mrs. Frances Burch, MBE at a fabulous party on Tuesday night celebrating her 95th birthday.

The socially prominent, world-travelled former schoolteacher fully absorbed the accolades with the grace and charm, as well as the poetic and biblical wit that has characterised her entire life.

Some 130 relatives, friends and admirers from all strata of local society were joined by 20 guests from as far away as England, New York, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina who came to Bermuda for the celebration.

Others who were unable to visit telephoned their regrets and congratulations.

Mrs. Burch thanked God that at age 95 she is still clothed in her right mind. She did not mention that there's not a wrinkle in her face, but that fact was glaring to all who beheld and admired her. With the eloquent and fluent speech for which she is noted, she admitted her heart had skipped a beat or two listening to the tributes from her children, former students and others whose lives she has touched.

She mentioned the wonderful upbringing she had. Her advice to all was: Give of Your Best to the Master!

Locale for the dinner party was the La Coquille Restaurant in the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. The tenor of the evening was well set by the mistress of ceremonies, former broadcaster and cousin Oda Ratteray Mallory. Her pastor, the Rev. Betty Furbert Woolridge, invoked the prayer and blessing. Mrs. Burch's daughter Leonetta Blake gave the welcome address.

Leonetta, a former schoolteacher, lives in Florida with her husband Orville. Their three children, Deryck, Rosalind and Renee, their spouses, children and grandchildren, accompanied them to Bermuda for the party. Renee and her husband Dwayne Fortner live in Missouri. Mrs. Burch was serenaded with musical tributes, first by the well-known a cappella quartette The Apex Four, three of whose members were her former students; and by Wendell (Shine) Hayward. After dinner, it was time for tributes, begun by son Ellsworth Ratteray and concluded by his brother Randolph Ratteray.

Ellsworth movingly referred to their absent sister Rosalind Williams, who passed away. Rosalind made her impact on Bermuda as one of the keynote speakers during the island-wide Universal Adult Suffrage Debates of the 1950s. Former Commissioner of Police Lennie Edwards, retired Community Affairs Director Ruth Thomas and the Rev. Dr. Larry Lowe gave delightful anecdotes about being taught by Mrs. Burch at Francis Patton School. Sheila Burch Burrows, wife of Senator Reginald Burrows; architect Walter Brangman, Mrs. Ivy Philip Simons of New York, the Rev. Fred Hassell, Joan Dismont and Lucille Zuill were among others.

Former Premier of Bermuda Sir David Gibbons said the three women who stood out in his mind for their intelligence and style that he met during his public life were the Queen, when he was knighted, Margaret Thatcher when she was Prime Minister and Mrs. Frances Burch. Sir David's wife Lully said Mrs. Burch has been like a mother to her.

Randolph Ratteray, noting how the party had been "95 years in the making", added to the glowing praise his mother had lavished on his wife Althea for spearheading the planning and execution of the celebration. Every detail was taken care of, including the lovely gifts each one present received.

Among the guests from overseas were the Blakes from Florida; the Fortners from Missouri; Melaine LeGrande, Virginia; Newville and Pearl Monfried and Byron and Cherry Lue of Florida; Max and Barbara Hirst of England; Ivy Simons of New York and Ostine Swan of North Carolina.

Mrs. Burch's close Bermuda friends who were singled out included Mrs. Maggie Swan, mother of former Premier Sir John Swan; Mrs. Rosalind Robinson, retired Francis Patton School Principal; Mrs. Doris Corbin and AME Presiding Elder Malcolm Eve and his wife.