When Mary Turley died on July 9th, one of the most capable and respected women passed from our lives. Her loss is deeply felt not only by her family and friends but by the Labour Party, the legal profession and the many causes she espoused.
She was a woman of many parts, who gave generously of her time to many many individuals and organisations. Failure was a work not to be found in Mary's vocabulary. She was dedicated, determined and generous. Mary analysed the problems that confronted her, and with unfailing commitment and great clarity she devised, cajoled and urged all to assist in finding solutions to those problems. Her most endearing qualities were her kindness, her good nature and openness and the fact that she was non judgmental.
Mary was a native of Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, and on completing her education she began work in the Land Registry. Here her interest in the law was awakened, and she began her legal studies and qualified as a solicitor in 1983.
By this time Mary was a very active member of the Labour Party, where her talent and commitment were recognised. She took up an appointment as a ministerial assistant in the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism to the late Frank Cluskey. It was in Leinster House that her talents flourished, not only in dealing with the constituency work, but in making her contribution to the development of the Labour Party.
She became virtually indispensable to Frank and she shared his many peaks and lows. His tragic and early death affected her greatly. Mary was an early member of the Labour Women's National Council and he Labour Party Lawyer's Group, and an officer of both.
Her interests were not confined to work. She was an enthusiastic Tipperary supporter and she never ceased to extol its virtues. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than when the blue and gold of her native county won high honours on the Gaelic playing fields of Ireland. She was a set dancer of exceptional grace and expression and she and her dancing partner, Tim Dennehy, charmed many with their skill.
During her illness Mary and Tim exchanged correspondence, and arising from this exchange Tim composed A Winter's Tear which he sang so poignantly at her funeral Mass. The refrain includes the words Dance a set for me in C/are, an exhortation of which Mary would heartily approve. The refrain is reminiscent of the President Mrs Robinson's invitation to the people of Ireland to "come dance with me".
Mary was diagnosed as suffering from multiple sclerosis on July 4th, 1986. On learning of the diagnosis, she simply said: "I lost my independence on Independence Day" - For such a great communicator, the loss of speech was particularly harrowing but she braved the loss with great dignity and fortitude. President Robinson was one of many who visited her throughout her illness. In fact, the President's last visit was on Friday, June 16th - Bloomsday.
The huge gatherings at both the Royal Hospital, Donnybrook and Saint Ruadhain's Church, Lorrha, were ample testament of the affection and admiration in which Mary was held. To her husband Padraig, her mother, brothers and sisters we extend our deepest sympathy. Of Mary it is true to say that Ni bheidh a leithead ann aris. Solas na bhflaitheas dhuit, a chara.