This week, a daughter of the soil, a true gem of fair Helen, is lost.
As a nation, we mourn the loss of Ambassador Her Excellency Elma‑Gene Isaac who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Her departure was preceded by a distinguished career of service to her country as well as to her region. Her death has left a profound void in the nation’s diplomatic community and among all who knew her as a dedicated public servant, mentor, and advocate for regional integration.
Ambassador Isaac was best known for her role as Saint Lucia’s Permanent Representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). She officially presented her Letters of Accreditation to CARICOM Secretary‑General Irwin LaRocque on May 2, 2017, at the Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, marking the start of an influential chapter in Saint Lucia’s regional diplomacy. From then on, she became one of the island’s most prominent voices in the regional integration movement.
Within CARICOM, Ambassador Isaac was an active member of the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors, where she played a critical role in guiding policy and monitoring the implementation of the Community’s Strategic Plan. She was especially vocal on issues of climate resilience, sustainable development, and the advancement of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Her contributions reflected both her keen intellect and heartfelt dedication to improving the lives of Caribbean people.
Ambassador Elma‑Gene Isaac’s service extended well beyond regional diplomacy into national development. She formerly served as an assistant lecturer at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, taught modern languages at Vieux Fort Comprehensive and Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary Schools and also formerly held the capacity of Director of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL). A barrister, solicitor, and notary royal, she also co‑drafted Saint Lucia’s Montreal Protocol Act and Regulations, leaving a lasting imprint on the nation’s legal and educational landscape.
Notwithstanding, her influence extended beyond the Caribbean. In 2023, she formed part of the Saint Lucian delegation to the Association of Caribbean States Summit in Guatemala, where she contributed to discussions on climate resilience, tourism, transport, and South–South cooperation. She was widely respected by her peers as a diplomat who combined grace with determination, bringing both warmth and authority to the negotiating table.
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, Ambassador Isaac underscored the vulnerabilities of small island developing states. She was a firm advocate for regional solidarity in health, economic recovery, and disaster preparedness, stressing that the strength of the Caribbean lay in unity and coordinated action.
Colleagues describe her as both formidable and compassionate. Beyond her professional roles, she served as a mentor to younger officers within the Ministry of External Affairs, generously sharing her knowledge and encouraging the next generation of diplomats.
Though official funeral arrangements have yet to be announced, tributes have already poured in from across Saint Lucia and the Caribbean. Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and regional partners have expressed condolences, recalling her integrity, dedication, and the indelible mark she has left on Saint Lucian diplomacy.
And now, as Saint Lucia bids her farewell, we pause to give thanks. Thank you, Ambassador Isaac, for lending your voice to our nation and your heart to our region. Thank you for reminding us that unity is not only a dream but a duty. Though your chair at the diplomatic table now stands empty, the work you championed continues, carried forward by the many you have inspired. May you journey onward in peace, wrapped in the gratitude of a people who will not forget your service, your light and your love for the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Philip Pierre extends deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Her Excellency Elma Gene Isaac, Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to CARICOM and the OECS.
The St. Lucian PM says Ambassador Isaac served this country with distinction. She was a seasoned public servant and respected diplomat, who carried out her duties with quiet strength and focus. He continued, “Her voice and presence were felt throughout the region, where she represented Saint Lucia with clarity, credibility, and resolve.”
“Today, we remember her not only for the office she held but for how she held it—with integrity, purpose, and a profound sense of duty.”