has said. She was 64 and a mother of two adult children. According to a short biography of Garrido-Lowe on the website of the Parliament of Guyana, she was a businesswoman for many years and has also made stellar contributions to the field of education, health journalism, advertising, graphic design and insurance.

A sports enthusiast, she served on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control and on the Hinterland Youth and Sports Development Association. As a politician, she was a member of The United Force (TUF) for fifteen years, before joining the Alliance for Change in 2011, the Parliament of Guyana said. In a statement, the AFC said it is deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of “our longest-serving and most dedicated members, Former Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who died early this morning as a result of a heart attack.” Garrido-Lowe was not only a stalwart of our party from its earliest days but a fearless advocate for the people of Guyana, the AFC said.

“She served with distinction as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs from 2015 to 2020, where she worked tirelessly to empower Amerindian communities and protect their rights and livelihoods. Her passionate voice, unwavering commitment, and sincere compassion earned her the respect and admiration of all who worked alongside her.”

As minister, the AFC said Garrido-Lowe was a trailblazer — a woman of courage, integrity, and deep conviction. “She dedicated her life to public service and to the cause of building a better Guyana. Her contributions to national development and to the growth of the AFC will forever be remembered and cherished. We extend our deepest condolences to her children, family members, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. Valerie’s passing is a profound loss not only to our party but to the entire nation.” (Kaieteur News)