Members of Parliament rose at 11:30pm last night (Mar 24), as the Lower House adjourned for the Easter break, but not before heartfelt tributes and best wishes on the retirement of a longtime colleague.

Speaker of the House Dennis Lister II, put the Motion to Adjourn on pause, to present Shernette Wolffe with a bouquet of flowers, as he announced that this would be her last Session in the House.

Ms Wolffe, who has served the legislature for 20 years, is scheduled to retire next month, while the House is adjourned until May.

MPs fondly recalled that as a school teacher by trade, how Ms Wolffe would give them “that look”, while she “set them straight” for two decades.

The parliamentary website says:

Shernette Wolffe, BA, B.Ed, MS

Mrs Shernette Wolffe matriculated from universities in Canada, the United States and France, where she obtained undergraduate degrees in French and Education as well as a Master of Science Degree in Library Service. Previously, as an Educator, Shernette taught French and English in the public schools and was the former Head of Library Services at CedarBridge Academy. 

She has also worked at the Atlanta Fulton Public Library and the Bermuda National Library. As Clerk to the Legislature at the House of Assembly, Shernette is primarily responsible for providing authoritative advice on procedural matters to the Speaker and Members of the Parliament. 

In addition, she provides procedural advice and services to Parliamentary Committees. Another aspect of her duties is overseeing Youth Parliament which meets every Wednesday at the House of Assembly. 

Mrs Wolffe has participated in numerous overseas Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conferences. Most recently she participated in the CPA Regional Staff Development Workshop and the 18th Biennial Conference of Presiding Officers and Clerks of the Caribbean Region in Tobago.

Mrs Wolffe has always had an interest in current affairs and politics; hence her reason for working at the House of Assembly. In her spare time she likes to take massages or relax as the “art of doing nothing” is soothing to the soul. She also likes to travel, read and enjoys her monthly book club meetings with the reading club “Our Passion”. Cooking is her ultimate “passion”.

On behalf of BermudaReal.com, congratulations and best wishes on your retirement!