MONTEGO BAY, St James — Pauline Reid, the managing director of Corporate Connections, died yesterday after a prolonged illness.

Reid, who was the first female president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reportedly died in a hospital in Washington, DC at about 3:00 pm.

Last night, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Davon Crump, spoke with the Jamaica Observer, describing her passing as a great loss to St James.

"Her death is a great loss to the Montego Bay community and the parish of St James. Reid has made significant contribution to the parish and will be sadly missed," said Crump.

He noted that Reid, who served as president of the chamber from 2006 to 2008, had successfully lobbied for the creation of the Old Hospital Park in the resort city of Montego Bay, as well as the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

"She was a very civic-minded person and served on a number of boards, including the Factories Corporation and the Montego Bay Free Zone and Kingston Free Zone boards," added Crump.

Reid also served on the business advisory board of the Urban Development Corporation.

At the time of her death, she was the second vice-president of the 79-year-old Montego Bay chamber. In December last year, Reid launched her second book entitled Montego Bay Jamaica: An awe-inspiring photographic journey.

Crump said last night that the chamber will be meeting later this week to decide on a "fitting way to honour her memory".