President Higgins leads mourners at Dublin funeral of widow of former president

President Michael D Higgins has led the mourners at the funeral of Dr Maeve Hillery in Sutton, Dublin, today.

Dr Hillery, widowof former president Dr Patrick Hillery, died on Saturday, aged 91 years.

Family nephew Fr Des Hillery was the chief celebrant at the funeral Mass in St Fintan’s church, which was followed by burial at the local cemetery.

The attendance also included former presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, former taoiseach Brian Cowen and Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin. Taoiseach Enda Kenny was represented by his aide-de-camp Comdt Kieran Carey.

Mrs McAleese said Dr Maeve Hillery was "elegant Ireland personified''. She added she knew Dr Hillery well and "adored her'', adding she had looked up to her since she was a young woman.

“I loved to see Paddy and herself representing Ireland,’’ she added. “I thought they did it with dignity and serenity.’’

Ms McAleese said Dr Hillery had “a wonderful, long life which she relished’’.

Mr Martin described Mrs Hillery as "an elegant and eloquent lady, great company socially and always very warm when we met''. He said, from Fianna Fáil's perspective, Maeve and Patrick Hillery, "represented the republican tradition in a very distinguished way''.

Sarah Hillery recalled a grandmother who was fun to travel with and always slow to admit her age.

“She had an adventurous spirit, as shown by her travels,’’ she added.

“But going back many years…it was shown in her decision to become a doctor, which was very unusual for a woman at that time .”

The chief mourners were Dr Hillery’s son John, daughter-in-law Carolyn, grandchildren, Sarah, Patrick, Michael and David, sister Angela, brother-in-law David. She was predeceased by her daughter, Vivienne.