Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Nattalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, has reflected on the life of the late Maria Dawson, left, as one that was filled with strength and courage. Photo: Facebook/File

Mrs Maria Dawson, sitting centre, was honoured by the New Life Baptist Church in 2020 as an 'Unsung Hero'. Photo: Facebook

“With great sadness, I received the news today [Thursday] that tourism icon and my good friend Mrs Maria Dawson has passed. This community has lost a woman of tremendous courage, character and strength,” Dr Wheatley said in a statement on November 17, 2022.

“Mrs Maria, as she is affectionately called, took a tremendous leap of faith and invested in the hospitality business as a hotelier in this community. She dared to take a risk in the BVI tourism product in developing and establishing Maria’s by the Sea, a premier facility in our town centre.”

He said her passion for tourism development was evident with an eye always open for opportunities and that she set her sight to the future and moved with a quiet passion even in tough economic times, “Because of it, we are all beneficiaries,” he added. 

Family already carrying on the dream - Premier 

The Premier said that besides her courageous spirit, she effectively passed those passionate virtues to her family, and they have carried on with the dream where she left off.

“She exemplified the spirit I hope many will emulate and that is passing on the art, knowledge, zeal and passion to those that will be left behind. On behalf of my family and the Government of the Virgin Islands, I extend heartfelt condolences to her brother Alfred, her daughters Julia and Lorna and the rest of the extended family.

“Even in the midst of grief, we celebrate her for her tremendous accomplishments and the lives she touched along the way. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” Premier Wheatley added.