The former Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim Joan Christie CVO OBE, has passed away following a car accident.
She has been remembered as ‘one of life’s ladies’ by Alderman Paul Michael.
Ms Christie was originally from Castlederg and worked for the Northern Ireland civil service.
She served as private secretary to various secretaries of state.
Mrs Christie was awarded an MBE for services to the government in 1976.
She received an OBE for services to education in 2005 and was appointed as lord lieutenant of Co Antrim in 2008.
She retired from the role in June 2019. She was also the recipient of a personal honour by the Queen to recognise her distinguished service to the royal family.
Tributes have poured in following her death.
Terrible news this morning of the passing of Mrs Joan Christie former Lord Lieutenant @ALieutenancy one of life's ladies who I had the greatest of pleasures to work with @ANBorough over many years, thoughts and prayers at this sad time @AntrimGuardian pic.twitter.com/8Kv6cNijAZ
— Ald Paul Michael BEM. (@PaulmichaelUUP) January 2, 2023
Mrs Christie was the wife of the late Dan, and mother to Joanna, Harriett and Marcus.
Donations in lieu of flowers will go to NI Air Ambulance or RNIB c/o Mrs Mona Murdock, 31 Bushmills Road, Coleraine.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Mrs Joan Christie, CVO, OBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of #CountyAntrim from 2008-2019. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan’s family. May she rest in peace and rise in glory pic.twitter.com/1uQTdqgLDT
— Antrim Lieutenancy ☘️ (@ALieutenancy) January 2, 2023