A moment of silence was held at public schools across the Island while politicians, business leaders and former pupils attended the funeral of well-known educator Edna Mae Scott yesterday.

Mrs. Scott died on January 26 at the age of 99. For 18 years Mrs. Scott was a teacher at The Central School, which was renamed the Victor Scott school in 1977 in memory of her husband who was principal of the school for nearly 30 years.

Dr. Ewart Brown was one of Mrs. Scott's pupils who attended the packed funeral at the Cathedral yesterday.

In his tribute to his former teacher he said: "Today I see CEOs, principals, politicians and even a Premier who are all her former pupils. She did not accept anything but the best from her charges."

He said she tapped into his competitive nature and threw down the gauntlet when she challenged him to find out the circumference of carpets and learn to master fractions as a school boy.

And she epitomised the student teacher relationship in that she did not have to command respect because her pupils automatically gave it to her.

Dr. Brown recounted her many accomplishments and said that her legacy will live on through her pupils for years to come.

He said: "Her life although over, indeed becomes the stuff of legends."

Public school students also took time out of their day to reflect on Mrs. Scott's legacy as a moment of silence was held at noon.

Principal of Victor Scott Primary School, Dr. Gina Tucker, said: "The class rooms paused at noon to have a moment of silence and reflect on the life and legacy of Mrs Scott and how her life impacted this school and their lives.

"They took some time to think about the importance of leadership, service and how important it is to serve other people because that is what she did."

Mrs. Scott was born in Jamaica, the youngest of 11 children but moved to Bermuda in 1933 when she married Victor F. Scott who was the principal of the West End School in Somerset. Mrs. Scott chose to stay at home and raise her two sons, Clovis and Victor, until they attended school. She began her teaching career at the Central School in 1943, where her husband was the principal.

Family members wrote in a tribute: "She quickly became known as an excellent teacher, truly beloved by her students, because she loved them.

"She believed that loving them was the key, 'not just the clean ones or the bright ones and the polite ones, but all of them'. "

She went on to become principal of Elliot School in Devonshire and was in charge of Harrington Sound School when segregation ended.

She was awarded an M.B.E. on June 15, 1974, in recognition of her tremendous contribution to education in Bermuda and the smooth and successful integration of Harrington School.

Mrs. Scott was also a founder of Age Concern and continued to volunteer across the Island with the Red Cross and Sunshine League. She continued to drive 'elderly' patients to the hospital in her car even though she was in her 90s.

Mrs. Scott is survived by her two sons, daughter-in-law Helen, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.