Former Senator Mary White dies after battling long illness
Mary White worked as Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on enterprise, jobs, and innovation in the Seanad and held the title of honorary vice-president for a number of years.
Picture: Eamonn Farrell
The former senator and Lir Chocolates co-founder, Mary White, has died after battling a long illness.
Ms White passed away peacefully at home on Sunday. She was first elected to the Seanad Éireann in 2002.
She retired from politics in 2016 after an unsuccessful election run for a Dáil seat in the general election.
Ms White also worked as Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on enterprise, jobs, and innovation in the Seanad and held the title of honorary vice-president for a number of years.
In the 1980s, she founded the brand Lir Chocolates alongside Connie Doody.
In a statement shared this evening, the Taoiseach paid tribute to Ms White, whom he described as as “force of nature” with “true commitment to public service”.
"I am very sorry to learn of the death of my former colleague and friend, former Senator Mary White,” said Mr Martin.
"She was a force of nature, the parliamentary party and politics were richer for her presence. Mary was very kind and caring and generous with her time.
"She cared deeply about her country and was dedicated throughout her public life to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. In this, she drew on her business and political relationships, north and south of the border.
"She also cared deeply about Fianna Fáil and contributed regularly to parliamentary party and Ard Chomhairle meetings and in her retirement, to the Dublin Rathdown constituency,” he added.
Ms White leaves behind her husband Pádraic and her daughter Cliona.
Her funeral mass will be held in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, Balally, on Thursday at 10am.
A cremation service will follow at the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome at 1pm.Â
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