TRIBUTES have been paid to a trailblazing politician – who became the Island’s first female Constable – who has died at the age of 93.
Iris Le Feuvre was born in 1928 and, during the German Occupation, her family sheltered an escaped Russian prisoner of war. She was first elected to the States Assembly in 1978 as a St Lawrence Deputy, before being elected as Constable of the parish in 1984, a role she held until her retirement in 2000.
During her time as president of the Education Committee, she oversaw the building of Haute Vallée School, as well as the provision of a number of nursery units attached to the Island’s primary schools. She was also an advocate for early years provision to allow mothers to return to work. In 2001, following her retirement from the States, she was awarded an MBE for services to the community.
Current St Lawrence Constable Deidre Mezbourian described Mrs Le Feuvre as the ‘matriarch of the parish’ who had left a ‘lasting legacy within St Lawrence, the education system and the Island as a whole’.
‘The parish and her family were what were really important in her life,’ she said. ‘The parish legacy is very much the St Lawrence Ladies Action Group which celebrated its 40th year last year. We have new members joining and the action group helped with St Lawrence’s platinum jubilee celebrations recently. We still rely on members of the group for parish events.
‘Very importantly, she was the Constable who built our 12 sheltered housing units, which we still have to this day. We are looking to hopefully build more if we can.
‘On a personal note, she was very supportive of me when I stood and introduced me to a lot of people in the parish, people with whom I remain friends.’
Mrs Mezbourian added that she believed Mrs Le Feuvre would have been pleased with the increased number of women who were elected to the States at this year’s general election.
‘She was the first female Constable in our history and, including Iris, there have only ever been six,’ Mrs Mezbourian added. ‘She was in a minority in the States Assembly but I am sure she would have been delighted to know the number of female Members increased and she would have been proud that she was one of the frontrunners.’
Chief Minister Kristina Moore, who this year became the Island’s first female head of government, said that Mrs Le Feuvre had ‘set an example which many of us are still seeking to follow today’.
She said: ‘I am deeply saddened to hear that former St Lawrence Constable Iris Le Feuvre has passed away.
‘Iris was a long-standing, forthright and respected representative of St Lawrence and I know she maintained an acute interest in parish and Island life right up until her passing.
‘Iris was part of the unique Occupation generation and possessed the characteristics typical of that time – independence of thought, determination and compassion.
‘Jersey is fortunate to have benefited from her many years of service and our community is diminished by her loss.
‘I send my condolences, thoughts and best wishes to all her family and many friends at this sad and difficult time.’
A statement from Mrs Le Feuvre’s family said that she was a ‘proud Jersey woman’ who was an ‘inspiration to all who knew her’.
They said: ‘Iris’s strong sense of community and commitment to public service remained a constant throughout a very full and active life.
‘First elected as Deputy for St Lawrence in 1978, she went on to make history on 6 June 1984 when she achieved a landslide victory to become Jersey’s first woman Constable. During her five terms as “Madame Le Connétable”, she brought many improvements to St Lawrence, including the development of sheltered accommodation in the heart of the parish.
‘Her contribution to Jersey extended beyond her parish community, driven by her passion for improving the lives of Islanders, particularly young people and women.
‘But perhaps her greatest passion was for her family. She was a warm and fun-loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A proud Jersey woman who will be much missed, and an inspiration to all who knew her.’
On social media, St John, St Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Kirsten Morel said that he was ‘devastated’ by Mrs Le Feuvre’s passing, adding: ‘Iris played an enormous role in my life for which I’ll always be grateful. I’ll miss her enormously and send all of my love to her family.’
The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, added: ‘It is with sadness that I have learnt of the passing of a former States Member, Iris Le Feuvre MBE. Mrs Le Feuvre was the Island’s first female Constable and served the Island for 22 years, first as a Deputy for St Lawrence from December 1978 and then as Constable of that parish from June 1984 until her retirement in February 2000.
‘During that time she was an active member of the Assembly and served on a variety of committees, but it was as Education President that she will be best remembered and it was during her tenure that the new Haute Vallée School was built to replace d’Hautrée.
‘A full tribute will be paid to Mrs Le Feuvre when the States Assembly meets after the summer recess, but I wish today to extend my sincere condolences to her family on behalf of the Assembly.’
