their condolences to the family of the late Madeline Joell.

The United Bermuda Party MP died on Valentine's Day after a blood vessel burst inside her brain.

House Speaker Stanley Lowe (PLP) ordered a minute's silence in honour of the recently departed Shadow Youth and Sport Minister at the start of the House session.

Then, during the period set aside for congratulation and obituary speeches, Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon kicked off the tributes.

The "very vibrant'' Ms Joell was taken in the early years of her life, she noted.

"It was a shame she was not able to make the full contribution to the community as she had obviously intended,'' said Ms Gordon.

"It is clear that Bermuda should be saddened by her passing.'' Ms Joell's Paget West running mate Tim Smith joined his party's leader and remarked on the large number of people who attended Ms Joell's funeral on Thursday.

This showed her ability to offer friendship to so many people, he said.

"There was a certain peace in Madeline's heart that allowed her to love everyone,'' said Mr. Smith.

Shadow Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge joined the tributes to the "outstanding young lady'' as did Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons.

Dr. Gibbons said Ms Joell's life reminded him of the life of the Greek hero Achilles in that it was short and glorious, not long and quiet.

Shadow Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt noted: "I don't think anyone expected to be in this position today. I have difficulty accepting that Madeline is no longer with us.'' Opposition Whip Cole Simons reflected on the similarities between his and Ms Joell's careers in that they were two of the first black people to work in the insurance industry and had both become rookie MPs following the November General Election.

Shadow Environment Minister Gary Pitman also offered condolences to Ms Joell's family.

"I knew Maddie for the last two years as a friend. To say she was vivacious and charismatic is an understatement.'' She believed in perfection in whatever she did, he continued, whether it be aerobics, dance, golf or work.

"Had she been afforded the time she would have also perfected her political career and made her mark for Bermuda.'' Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell earmarked Ms Joell's selflessness as the attribute which had endeared her to him.

"In getting to know Madeline over the months, I found that she was unique in that she never talked about herself. She was always talking about other people and what she could do for them.'' An emotional Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Kim Young joined the chorus noting that she would miss Ms Joell.

She pointed out what a good role model Ms Joell was for young Bermudians as she had worked hard all her life in her bid to succeed.

Shadow Development and Opportunity Minister Allan Marshall noted how Ms Joell had touched many lives during her short life and said he would miss her poise and grace and was joined in his remarks by Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley who added that she would have no doubt been a success in politics.

Shadow Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley agreed and remembered how his colleague and golf partner had always listened, learned and then spoke when in discussion.

Government MP Dale Butler joined his colleagues Nelson Bascome, Delaey Robinson, Randolph Horton, Terry Lister, Paula Cox and Premier Jennifer Smith in offering condolences to Ms Joell.

He noted that he had congratulated her when she decided to run for Parliament and subsequently for her victory in the election.

"I did not know her very well,'' he admitted, "but on the occasions that I met her she was very warm and personable.'' Government MP Ottiwell Simmons also turned his attention to Ms Joell's funeral on Thursday and the large crowds of people who attended it.

"She was a young lady I had only recently gotten to know. That young lady must have had a lot of admirers.'' But what really struck him was the make up of the crowd, he continued.

"With no effort it was one of the most naturally integrated groups on a racial basis that I have seen.'' Madeline Joell OBITUARY OBT