Jamaica's first female permanent secretary Carmen Campbell-Belton has died.

A native of Port Antonio, Portland, 80-year-old Mrs. Campbell-Belton was educated at St. Anthony's Academy before going on to Titchfield Primary School. She won a place at Colombia University in New York, where she studied economics. She passed away on Thursday at her home in Port Antonio.

Born Carmen West in 1927, she spent herentire career in the civil service and retired in her pioneering position as permanent secretary in what is now known as the Ministry of Industry Technology Energy and Commerce.

Of 14 government ministries in Jamaica, six are run by female permanent secretaries, or equivalent rank.

A thanksgiving service for the life of Mrs. Campbell-Belton will be held at St. Andrew Parish Church, Half-Way Tree, on Friday, May 18 at 11: 00 a.m.