Passing of former Mayo county councillor Margaret Adams

Fond tributes being paid to the deceased

The death has occurred of Margaret Adams (née Kenny), King's Hill, Westport.

She died peacefully yesterday in the wonderful care of the staff of Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Castlebar.

A former elected member of Mayo County Council and Westport Town Council, she was a leading figure in the Fianna Fáil organisation in west Mayo for many years.

Margaret held the position of cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council on four occasions.

She was the first woman elected to the town council in 1974 and served on Mayo County Council from 1999 to 2009, when she retired from public life.

She also worked as constituency secretary for the late Seamus Hughes during his time as a TD.

Margaret was a key figure in inspiring women to become actively involved in public life and she was a very strong voice in seeking the best services and amenities for Westport and its surrounding areas.

In a tribute, Minister for Social Protection and Mayo TD Dara Calleary stated: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Margaret Adams.

"Margaret was a trailblazer for women in Mayo politics, a passionate advocate for Westport and west Mayo in particular, a councillor totally committed to the people she served and a straight talker to whomever her audience was.

"She served with pride and ambition on Mayo County Council and on Westport Town Council.

"She was proud of her Fianna Fáil membership and party but didn’t let it get in the way of working cross party for the benefit of Westport. Her legacy is evident across Westport and Mayo.

"She was a serious politician but with a brilliant sense of mischief and humour. She was a font of wisdom and advice and never hesitated to tell me when she disagreed with me!

"I will miss that advice, that sense of humour and mischief but most especially the friendship.

"Siobhán joins with me in extending our sincerest sympathies to Cecil, to Dermot and Deirdre and to the extended Adams and Kenny families.

"My thoughts are also with Councillor Brendan Mulroy and the Westport Fianna Fáil family who have lost their North Star.

"May she rest in peace.”

Westport Fianna Fáil Councillor Brendan Mulroy extended his condolences to the bereaved family on their loss.

He stated: "Margaret was a formidable public representative who represented Westport with great distinction at home and abroad.

"I learned so much from her over the years and I will always treasure the great memories I have of her.

"She will be a great loss to west Mayo because she worked for the betterment of the community for so many years.

"And when Margaret set out to achieve something, she invariably did, such was her vision, determination and drive, characteristics I always admired in her."

Retired Deputy Michael Ring described Margaret as 'a very loyal colleague in public life' who always put her town and county first.

"I can honesty say she was one of the most honourable person I ever worked work in my time in politics. Her word was her bond. If you made an agreement with her, it was never broken.

"I am really sorry to learn of her passing. She was one great character and I will miss her greatly."

In a tribute, former Louisburgh councillor Peter Sweeney stated: "We served together on Mayo County Council. She was always helping and gave wise advice."

Former Mayo TD Beverley Flynn said: "Margaret was a wonderful colleague and friend and she’ll be greatly missed."

Former Westport Town Council cathaoirleach Myles Staunton stated: “Over so many years Margaret was a formidable advocate for the town who cared deeply about the town’s people and the progress made by local government for the benefit of the Westport people.

"This was none more evident than when she attended at the Council of Europe in a delegation with Councillor Keith Martin and I to present a paper fighting to retain the town council.

"Margaret’s astuteness, guidance and indeed sense of humour will be missed by everyone who worked with her for the benefit of the community.”

Margaret is sadly missed by her husband Cecil, son Dermot, daughter Deirdre, daughter-in-law Maeve, grandsons Kevin and Sean, brothers Pat (Dublin) and Cormac (Westport), sisters Evelyn Horan (Partry) and Breege Staunton (Galway), nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and wide circle of friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

She was predeceased by her father Charles and mother Bridget.

Reposing in Navin's Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral arriving at St. Mary's Church Westport on Saturday at 12 noon for Funeral Mass at 1 p.m.

Cremation takes place afterwards in Lakeland's Crematorium, Cavan, at 4:30 p.m.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.