Former government minister Gemma Hussey dies after short illness at the age of 86 – The Irish Times

Former government minister Gemma Hussey has died after a short illness. She was 86 years old.

Born in Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ms Hussey had a successful career in business before entering politics. She became a senator, initially as an independent, in 1977 and joined Fine Gael three years later. In 1981 she became leader of the government in the Seanad

She was elected to the Dáil as the party’s candidate in 1982 and served as TD until 1989.

During this time, she was Minister of Education (1982-1986), Minister of Social Welfare from 1986 to 1987 and, for a short period in 1987, Minister of Labor.

In a statement released Tuesday, her family said her “lifelong passion has been the advancement of women in politics and in all areas of life.”

“She was a very proud Europhile and after leaving politics in 1989, she became involved in the activities of the European Federation of Women, encouraging women from former Eastern Bloc countries to become politically active for the first time.”

She died surrounded by her family, they said.

Mrs Hussey was predeceased by her husband Derry, who died in 2020, and is survived by her children Rachel, Ruth and Andrew, her seven grandchildren and her brother Paddy.