FORMER First Lady, Mrs. Joyce Hoyte, died at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, in Parade Street, Kingston, yesterday, after a period of illness.
The widow of dead ex-President, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, was 78. She had suffered a fall in her North Road, Bourda, home also in Georgetown, last January 18 and was admitted to the hospital, where she was kept under surveillance for  about three weeks,
She was discharged last week Tuesday but had a relapse, was re-admitted to the same institution and remained there until her demise.
It is not clear whether her death was related to the January fall but a post mortem examination will, likely, be done later this week.
Mrs. Hoyte was the mother of two daughters, Amanda, a student of Bishops’ High School and Maxine, of primary school age, who lost their lives in a motor vehicle accident on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, in May 1985, the day before President Hoyte addressed a May Day rally at Mackenzie, Linden.
Mrs. Hoyte survived the mishap with serious injuries, from which she recovered over time.
Mr. Hoyte died of a heart attack in their home in December 2002, at the age of 73. 
Since then, the former First Lady has lived alone in the North Road house.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which her husband led from 1985 to 2002, has expressed profound sympathy on her passing.
The General-Secretary, Mr. Oscar Clarke, said that the party is expected to be involved in her funeral arrangements.
PNCR Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin, could not be reached for a comment.
Meanwhile, General-Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr. Donald Ramotar, said it was with great sadness that he learnt of the death of Mrs. Hoyte, who had been First Lady for seven years.
On behalf of the PPP and himself, he extended deep sympathy to her loved ones and friends on her passing.
“I think she did us perfectly proud as First Lady.  She served with dignity and will certainly be missed,” Ramotar remarked.

Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green yesterday expressed great sadness at the passing of the former First Lady.

“Any death affords us great pain and anguish, but I am particularly saddened by the death of Mrs. Joyce Hoyte,” Mayor Green said, noting that he had known her ever since she was a young girl growing up in Camp Street.

Noting that she was a reservoir of information and knowledge which she shared fully with the wider citizenry, Mayor Green recalled that Mrs. Hoyte had always been a concerned citizen and demonstrated a keen interest in, and kept abreast of things happening in society.

On behalf of himself and family, Mayor Green extends condolences to the relatives and friends of Mrs. Joyce Hoyte.