The People’s National Party (PNP) has saluted the “tenacity and genius” of social geographer and public servant Dr Pauline Knight, who died last Friday as a result of complications of COVID-19.

Knight, the wife of former government minister Dr KD Knight, was remembered by the PNP as “an undoubtedly a dedicated public servant, who gave her life in service of nation building”.

“We extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. In particular, we wish to share our heartfelt condolences with our brother and a senior leader within our noble movement, the Hon KD Knight, QC, on the passing of his beloved wife.,” the party said in a statement. 

The PNP noted that former Prime Minister PJ Patterson had reflected on several of Dr Knight’s academic and professional accomplishments.

COMMITMENT TO RAISING QUALITY OF LIFE OF JAMAICANS

Patterson, who is also a former president of the PNP, had said one such accomplishment, reflective of her commitment to Jamaica and the betterment of the lives of all Jamaicans, was when, in the 1990s, she dedicated her doctoral dissertation at the University of the West Indies to studying consumption inequality and the stratification of Jamaican society.

“This speaks to her commitment to raising the quality of life of Jamaicans,” the PNP said.

The party noted that Dr Knight’s technical expertise was developed through her many stints in academia and her unique ability to study both theoretical and real patterns of behaviour. It noted that, as a social geographer, she looked critically at the habits and patterns of urban and rural dwellers.