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ST. PETERS--Seasoned trade unionist and former Windward Islands Civil Servants Union President Patricia Pantophlet (57) passed away in Bogota, Colombia, on Friday, August 1, after a period of illness. Pantophlet, who was a very vocal trade union leader and who championed the rights of workers in St. Maarten for many years, had been battling lupus for some time. She fell ill and was airlifted to Colombia on July 10, a representative of the family told The Daily Herald. She was accompanied by one of her sisters. In addition to being a trade unionist, Pantophlet held several positions over the years. She was a member of the Alzheimer's Foundation, former member of the advisory body on matters related to civil servants GOA, member of the Philipsburg Methodist Church where she served as congregational steward, and member of Pantophlet Villas Foundation, which was "her baby." She worked as a dismissal and complaints officer at the Labour Affairs Department for 38 years. She also was the first president of the Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU). Pantophlet was the sister of >National Alliance (>NA) number two candidate Member of Parliament George Pantophlet. Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) President Claire Elshot said Pantophlet had "left a legacy behind with her contributions made to the workers' organisations in defending the rights of civil servants as WICSU president" and as first WICLU president, "where she strongly sounded her voice, speaking on different issues as the voice of the voiceless. On the international level, she made great contribution to Public Service International (PSI), where she also became a titular member. During the various struggles, she united with President of the WITU Mrs. Claire Elshot-Aventurin to make a strong fist against various austerity measures. The two were renamed the Power Puff Girls. Elshot said Pantophlet had been "a strong, outspoken, humble, straightforward leader and has gained admiration and respect from many by her contribution made during the live talk shows and her many articles in the newspapers. "Patsy believed in unity – unity under the trade unions, under the families and under the workers in the workplace. She was very active in several organisations. She was special in many ways and devoted to her job at the Labour Office and will be greatly missed by all." Elshot extended condolences to Pantophlet's sister, WITU General Secretary Roxsana Pantophlet, and to the Pantophlet family. Elshot said funeral services for Patricia Pantophlet would be announced later. George Pantophlet mentioned 1 time

National Alliance [NA] mentioned 1 time