Judge Myrtle Mason, first native GG’s last surviving child, has died

Judge Myrtle Mason, last surviving child of late Governor General Sir Clifford Campbell and Lady Alice Campbell, has died.

Mason, born to Jamaica’s first native governor general, died Tuesday morning at her home in Bethesda, Maryland, in the United States after a brief illness. She was 98 years old. The news was conveyed to the Grange Hill Past Student Alumni Association, through its president, Carlton Clarke.

Sir Clifford was the school’s first headmaster.

“ Dear alumni and friends. It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Justice Myrtle Mason this morning (Tuesday) at her home in Bethesda, Maryland after a brief illness. Justice Mason was a trailblazer in Jamaica’s legal system and a proud daughter of Grange Hill ...,” Clarke’s message read. Mason, a barrister, was one of four children for Sir Clifford and his wife. Her siblings were Dr Winston Campbell; Newton Campbell, and Clair Keane, who all pre-deceased her. Winston died in 2012 at age 89 years after serving as a medical doctor for more than 50 years in Westmoreland, where he was born.

The year’s in which Newton and Clair died were not immediately available.

Mason is survived by her daughters, Andrea, Diane, and Susan, as well as several nieces and nephews.

“ May her soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon her,” Clarke’s note read.

Details of funeral arrangements were also not immediately available.