of 12 Islanders yesterday to be recognised in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Dr. Marjorie Bean, an influential figure in local education circles for more than three decades, joined such past recipients as Agatha Christie, Wendy Hiller and Maggie Smith to become a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Dame Marjorie had earlier been made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Also cited in yesterday's List were Mr. Richard Masters Gorham, who was made a Knight Bachelor, and Mrs. Gloria McPhee, who became an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Mrs. Joan Margaret Williams and Mr. Ward Young were both made Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Rounding out the List with awards of the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour were businessman and top sports official Mr. John Richard Kane, civil servant Mrs. Janet Marlene Lambert, philanthropist Mrs. Valerie Harnett Masters, teacher and musician Mrs. Edna Louise Thomas, philanthropist Mrs.

Elizabeth Anne Parker, engineer and linguist Mr. Stanley Walenciak and music director Mr. Alan Bernard Tucker.

Dame Marjorie, who was also the first Bermudian woman to be appointed to the Island's former Legislative Council, began her career in education as English and geography mistress at the Berkeley Institute.

In 1948, she became the first black person to be appointed to an administrative position in the Department of Education when she took on the job of Supervisor of Schools.

An alumna of Wilberforce University in Ohio, the Columbia University Teachers College in New York and the Institute of Education at the University of London, Dame Marjorie was made an MBE "in recognition of the significant contribution she made to education in Bermuda.'' She was also awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977.

Bermudians honoured in Queen's New Year's List From Page 1 and the Argus Insurance Company, Sir Richard is a leading Bermudian fundraiser who has worked on behalf of numerous individuals and groups.

Among those that have benefitted from his financial and organisational talents are the Bermuda War Veterans Association, the New Testament Church of God, the English Speaking Union, the Adult Education School, the Royal Artillery Association and Bermuda College.

In 1983, Sir Richard also created the Bermuda Charities and Community Services Fund, which provides immediate assistance to those who need financial, medical or educational aid.

The Fund has an annual financial donation rate of approximately $26,000. Mrs.

McPhee, a former Minister of Education and a former Minister of Health and Social Services, has been at the centre of community and political life in Bermuda since 1968, when she was first elected as an MP.

Since then, she has served on the Board of Health, the Census Board and the Board of Education and has advanced a number of children's causes.

Mrs. McPhee was also the first Bermudian woman to become a Cabinet Minister.

English-born Mrs. Williams, who was a home economics teacher before being selected as Government's first protocol officer in 1981, has co-ordinated a number of visits to the Island by presidents, prime ministers and several members of the Royal Family.

Mr. Young, meanwhile, has been a leading member of Bermuda's business community for more than two decades.

He has also worked tirelessly on behalf of the United Bermuda Party and numerous sports bodies.

Dame Marjorie Bean, DBE Sir Richard Gorham, CBE, DFC Mrs. Gloria McPhee, OBE Mrs. Joan Williams, MBE Mr. Ward Young, MBE Mr. John Kane Mrs. Janet Lambert Mrs. Valerie Masters Mrs. Elizabeth Parker Mrs. Edna Thomas Mr. Alan Tucker Mr. Stanley Walenciak