Kate Walsh:Kate Walsh, a Progressive Democrats senator and community worker from Kildare has died aged 59. On Wednesday Seanad Éireann united in paying tribute to her. Earlier, the flag over Leinster House had come to half mast to formally mark the passing of a sitting member.
Senator Walsh had a profound respect for the Houses of the Oireachtas and, as she frequently reminded other members, regarded membership as a great privilege. The formalities of mourning would have affected her deeply, but her enduring humility would have made her equally dismissive of the tributes she so well deserved.
Across the political spectrum, words to sum up Kate Walsh's life kept recurring: friendship, warmth, goodness, simplicity, humility, gentleness, strength, bravery, commitment, laughter and fun. The Cathaoirleach, Senator Rory Kiely, spoke for all when he described Kate Walsh as the most popular member of the Senate.
A native of Maganey in Co Laois, Kate lived for many years in Celbridge, Co Kildare where her values of mutual support, helping the disadvantaged and community involvement survived the transition from a village to a Dublin suburb. Her late husband, Eugene, was a member of An Garda Síochána and she stoutly defended and supported the Force.
Her other great cause in the Seanad was to increase public awareness of diabetes, a condition she dealt with personally for 30 years. Kate told us in simple and clear terms what needed to be done by society and the State to tackle diabetes. She was a doer.
The depth of her contribution to the community in Celbridge saw her elected as an Independent to Kildare County Council in 1999, with one of the biggest votes in the country. Moreover, it was the largest by a female candidate. One of the proudest day's of her life was in 2002 when, as a Progressive Democrat, she was nominated to Seanad Éireann by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on the recommendation of the then tánaiste and party leader, Mary Harney.
Laughter and irreverence were never far away in Kate's magnetic company but she took her job seriously. One of her pet projects was the annual Black and White Ball in Celbridge, which raised large sums for Care of the Aged and other local causes.
Even a short time before her untimely death she was making plans for the ball's silver jubilee. Sadly, a terminal illness left this and a myriad of other projects and dreams unfulfilled.
Helping the poor, the community and giving entirely of herself to others was at the core of Kate Walsh's existence. She did not court publicity but did far more effective and enduring work than many who did. Her calm counsel, true all-embracing friendship, enduring good humour and bravery made Kate Walsh unique.
She is survived by her brother John, sisters Noreen and Ann.
Kate Walsh: Born, March 1947; died April 24th, 2007.