An overseas staff member for the Bermuda Tourism Authority in New York has died aged 65.

David Burt, the Premier, offered condolences to the family of Joanne Raynor in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the public works minister, said Ms Raynor was a “personal friend” who had lived and worked in New York for 18 years.

Colonel Burch added: “Anybody who know Joanne, the first thought that comes to mind is laughter.

“She had a personality designed for tourism and thus the success she had representing Bermuda in New York.”

Colonel Burch offered his sympathies to her Ms Raynor’s sons Omar and Micah.

The Bermuda Ex-Police Association also paid tribute to Ms Raynor, who died on January 30.

A spokesman said Ms Raynor worked as the secretary in the police training school from 1990 to 2002, and was “fondly remembered by all of the staff and recruits”.