IRIS KING, who as Mayor of Kingston in 1958 & 1959, made history as Jamaica's first female Mayor, died at home yesterday in New York at the age of 89.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, responding from Houston, Texas, which he is visiting on official business, to news of her death, described Mrs. King as the "matriarch of Jamaican politics". In a news release, he expressed regret at her passing, calling her "a nation-builder who served her country well at both the local and central government levels".

He said that Mrs. King had been a politician, philanthropist and social worker, who gave real meaning to the concept of voluntarism. Mr. Patterson said she would be remembered for her many acts of charity and her tutelage of younger politicians.

The People's National Party (PNP) hailed her as a trailblazer who "opened the gate for other women to make meaningful contributions to the development of Jamaica through political service...She has been an inspiration to politically-minded women throughout the Caribbean."

In 1999 the PNP honoured Mrs. King for her contributions to the nation's political life. In December, Mr. Patterson presented her with the PNP's 60th Anniversary Award for Excellence at St Luke's Episcopal Church, Bronx, New York where she served as a warden for 20 years. Also, she was the administrator of the church's Senior Centre which provides hot meals for the elderly.

In February, Dr. Basil K. Bryan, Jamaica's Consul General in New York, presented her with a plaque saluting her as pioneer in Jamaican history.

Mrs. King, representing the PNP, entered the politics in 1947, winning a seat on the KSAC Council, from 1947-50 and from 1956-59. She was elected MP for West Central Kingston in 1959. Mrs. King also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Communications and Works.

Her body will be flown back to Jamaica for funeral service at St George's Anglican Church, East Street, Kingston, on Thursday, May 18. She will be buried beside her husband in the St Andrew Parish Church Cemetery.