We are very sorry to share the news that incoming board member Faith Innerarity, 54, passed away on 27 September in Florida, United States, after a short illness.
Champion of older people’s rights
We knew Faith as an indefatigable and courageous champion of the causes of older people, youth and family. We worked with her closely in Jamaica and in the United Nations where she was a dynamic and charismatic figure in the meetings of the Commission of Social Development. 
The outstanding contributions she made in her 30 years in the civil service, spending much of that time in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) was invaluable to our work in the Caribbean region and beyond.
Her efforts to develop and expand Jamaica’s Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) has been an exceptional contribution to advancing the security and dignity of older Jamaicans.
At the time of her passing she was pursuing initiatives in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to have the government consider the introduction of a universal social pension. Her work to support older women and men led her to work with us as mentor, advisor and friend, and we were much looking forward to welcoming her onto the Board of Trustees of HelpAge.
We echo the words of Prime Minister Simpson Miller who has said, “Mrs Innerarity has been an outstanding civil servant who not only dedicated her life and work in the service of her country, but whose principled lifestyle strengthened the quality of her service to Jamaica.”
We are profoundly sorry and send our deepest condolences to her family.