Elsie Wayne, who served as mayor and Progressive Conservative member of Parliament for Saint John, has passed away at the age of 84.
Wayne was the MP for Saint John from 1997 to 2004 and served as interim leader of the PC party as well in the late nineties between the resignation of Jean Charest and the election of Joseph Clark.
Before jumping into federal politics she served four consecutive terms as mayor of Saint John. She was the first woman to take on the role of Saint John mayor.
#peoplesMP #ElsieWayne Rest in Peace pic.twitter.com/WAK2Hw0ofw
— Wayne Long (@WayneLongSJ) August 23, 2016
A memorable moment from the 2002 Progressive Conservative policy convention.
Elsie Wayne (1932-2016) #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/RJ1jTLQPlm— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) August 23, 2016
She is remembered by Portland-Simonds PC MLA Trevor Holder as a “larger than life figure” who loved the community of Saint John and worked hard for it.
“What made Elsie most appealing to voters is you felt like you could reach out and touch her,” says Holder.
“She was in Tim Horton’s but she was in the boardroom as well. You knew that she was fighting for you, but you knew on any given day you were gonna see her out around town. And that’s what made Elsie Wayne, that was the secret to her success.”
He worked with Wayne for years, as she was the MP while he was an MLA.
“I did get a chance to speak to her the last time, I can’t remember how many months ago I had called just to touch base and she came on the phone for a minute and she said ‘how you doin’ Trev?’ and it was as short conversation but it was one that I’ll always remember.”
Started together in ’93-Elsie’s passion for SJ will never be forgotten,she will always be our Iron Lady #canpoli pic.twitter.com/VMBjC5l9IW
— Paul Zed (@paulzed) August 23, 2016
Interim Conservative leader of the provincial PC party Bruce Fitch tells us he has the utmost respect for Wayne.
“She was never afraid to speak her mind. She was never afraid to take on a battle,” says Fitch. “She was a real political icon in my eyes, a real mentor for politicians today and into the future.”
Sorry to hear of the passing of Elsie Wayne. She was a great person who worked very hard for the people of New Brunswick
— Bruce Fitch (@BruceFitchMLA) August 23, 2016
In 2009, Wayne was admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke and spent three months at the Regional Hospital.
My condolences to Elsie Wayne’s family and friends. Her passion for her region and for New Brunswick will never be forgotten. #NBpoli
— Dominic LeBlanc (@Min_LeBlanc) August 23, 2016
Sad to see news of the passing of Elsie Wayne. I knew her well. She was a great lady -colourful sweaters and all. #RIP #cdnpoli
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) August 23, 2016
