BREAKING: Former councillor and Mayor of Tipperary passes away after sudden illness

The death has occurred of former Tipperary Town councillor and former Mayor of Tipperary, Mary Swords.

Mary passed away at Tipperary University Hospital on Thursday, September 5 following an illness.

She was pre-deceased by her husband John. I had the great pleasure of being a very close friend of Mary, and over 30 years our lives have been intertwined through family occasions and community events.

Mary held the role of Honorary Mayor of Tipperary before being elected to Tipperary Town Council in 2004.

She was re-elected to Tipperary Town Council in 2009 and in that year was elected Mayor of Tipperary.

She had the honour during that year of according a Civic Reception to the Republic of Ireland Team Soccer Manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, when he visited Tipperary Town in August 2009.

Aside of her role as a councillor, I think that Mary will be most remembered as a community activist.

Her involvement as a presenter on Tipperary Mid West Community Radio and her 'Life and Times' programme will be remembered by many as she interviewed people from many different disciplines and fields.

She was also a well-known stage performer locally and appeared in many different productions by Tipperary Musical Society and Tipperary Pantomime Society.

Mary played an important role in the work of Tipperary Peace Convention and was part of the welcoming committee for the many recipients of the Tipperary International Peace Award.

Her community involvement spread to many different organisations and projects and she served on the Famine Hostel Committee, and she took great pride in her involvement in the St John's Famine Graveyard Committee.

Many young people will recall her involvement with me in the Tops of the Youth Clubs Committee, where we enjoyed organising the Regional and National Tops Shows presented by youth clubs from across the country.

Mary also gave great service as a member of the Board of the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre, and she was a wonderful ticket seller for both the Sports Complex and the Community Radio.

She also joined me in the Friends of Mount Sion Support Group and was a wonderful support in the organising of the Garden Fete and in the campaign to retain Mount Sion and the services that it provided in Tipperary Town.

Another string to Mary's bow was in TARA, the Tipperary Active Retired Association.

She was majorly involved in the organising of various outings and events and also held the role of President of the Association.

Mary Swords was just a wonderful person who gave of herself for the benefit of others. She was always available to the community to support events or to fundraise, and she was never found wanting when called upon to help an organisation or a person in need.

She was also very involved in the Parish Lay Ministry Team and her faith meant a great deal to her. Mary also had a great fun side to her and this came to the fore when she took part in the TV series 'First Dates' in March 2021.

Mary proved to be hugely popular with viewers and became a national celebrity.

In looking back over Mary's life it is the importance of family and her contribution to community that stand out particularly.

She assisted so many different organisations and groups throughout her life, and her loss to the community is immeasurable.

She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

May her gentle soul Rest in Peace.

Mary will repose at Whelan's Funeral Home, Bansha Road, Tipperary Town on Tuesday evening, September 10, 2024 from 5:30pm to 7pm.

Mass for Mary will take place in St Michael's Church, Tipperary Town on Wednesday 11th of September 2024 at 12 noon and burial afterwards in St Michael's Cemetery Tipperary Town.

Deepest sympathy to her children Michelle, Seán and Jackie, her grandchildren Kayleigh, Shauna, Aaron, Chloe, Robyn, Cathal, Lauryn, Tomás and Gráinne, her great-grandchildren Aedlinn, Evan, Lucia and Devon, her sisters, sons-in-law Stephen and Pat, daughter-in-law Caroline, nephews, nieces, extended family and her close friends, Ann and the members of the 'Tuesday Club'.