Tributes are paid to former deputy Janine Le Sauvage
Independent, unpredictable, gracious and supportive was how friends and former colleagues of Janine Le Sauvage have remembered the former deputy, who has died at the age of 79.
Mrs Le Sauvage served in the States for 18 years, initially as a deputy for St Martin’s and later representing the South-East region. She lost her seat at the 2012 election.
During her career she sat on many committees, including Tourism, the Water Board, the Island Development Committee and the Environment Department.
She was particularly interested in the environment and wanted to ensure everyone lived in a place that was clean, safe and attractive.
Former Deputy Matt Fallaize served alongside Mrs Le Sauvage in his first term of office from 2008-2012.
‘I was in my 20s when I served in the States with Janine and, like most of her generation of deputies, she was hugely encouraging and helpful towards new members like me,’ he said.
‘Janine was extremely independent minded – it was almost never possible to predict how she would vote before a debate. She was also a conscientious parish deputy and regularly took parishioners’ concerns into the States Assembly in the days when that was more common.’
She was also a regular sea swimmer, particularly at La Vallette, and campaigned for repair work to be carried out at the Bathing Pools.
Deputy Peter Roffey was president of the Agriculture and Countryside Board when Mrs Le Sauvage was a member and said she was a passionate supporter of local farming.
‘She was also completely committed to the review we did of the animal welfare laws.’
As vice-president of the Environment Department he said she bought a quad bike, since she did not feel she should be seen driving a car.
‘She certainly knew her own mind and if she didn’t agree with you she would let you know.’
Mrs Le Sauvage was a stalwart of the weekly farmers’ market at Sausmarez Manor and manor owner Peter de Sausmarez said he thought she was one of its founder stall holders.
‘She did it for 25 to 30 years,’ he said.
‘She ran a bric-a-brac stall in aid of the Cheshire Home. I think she only missed one or two in 30 years. She was also very helpful to other stall holders.’
She was also a stall holder at the weekly markets held where the bus station is now, he said, and used to wear a traditional Guernsey costume.
