FUNERAL FOR GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST
Children’s Minister Zappone in tearful eulogy to wife Ann Louise
Ann Louise and Katherine
Dr Gilligan passed away on Wednesday after a short illness, just hours after it was confirmed Ms Zappone would resume her role as Minister for Children.
The couple, who wed in Canada in 1981, fought in the European Courts to have their marriage recognised in Ireland, and were the driving force behind the equality campaign.
In a tearful eulogy at the Helix in Dublin City University, where Dr Gilligan had taught, Ms Zappone spoke of her partner’s “immensely generous and abundant heart”.
She said: “Ann Louise was so proud of my appointment as an Irish Cabinet Minister, she waited for my reappointment.
PEACE
“And she passed away quietly and peacefully only hours after it happened.
“And now in President the presence of Michael D Higgins all gathered I have
to let you go.” She spoke of how Dr Gilligan had bravely fought through her illness with great dignity.
Ms Zappone recalled the moment doctors told them that Ann Louise would not recover.
She said: “Then I asked her, ‘Are you afraid Ann Louise?’ And she said, ‘No, I was not afraid before entering the world and I am not afraid to leave it.’”
Speaking of their final days together, Ms Zappone said: “Over the past 87 days of her recent illness, every day I would gaze at those green eyes.
“And no matter how much she was struggling with responding to what was going on her brain, I could connect with her beautiful mind through those green eyes.”
Co-chair of the marriage equality campaign Denise Charlton paid tribute to the impact Dr Gilligan Mary Mitchell O’connor TD had on the movement. She said: “Personal stories were attributed as key in the positive outcome in the marriage referendum.
“Ann Louise and Katherine showed incredible courage when they Ahern and Varadkar Sharon Ni Bheolain Miriam O’callaghan put their love and relationship before the courts, the political system and the public.”
She added: “Ann Louise and Katherine insisted on marriage equality. They persuaded the country that Simon Harris TD not only could we get it, but we should get it, we must get it, for ourselves and for others.
“The softly spoken crusader, who was such a formidable force and so uncompromising in her vision of Kate O’connell TD equality. In that great conviction, she strengthened our conviction and our resolve in marriage equality.” Former students from An Cosan – an organisation Dr Gilligan founded in Jobstown which offers adult education and services to women from disadvantaged areas – paid tribute to her influence. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, along with ministers, TDS and senators also turned out. Dr Gilligan was laid to rest at the Manor Kilbride cemetery in Co Wicklow. news@irishmirror.ie
Ann Louise and Katherine showed courage when they put their love before the courts DENISE CHARLTON AT ANN LOUISE GILLIGAN’S FUNERAL
Fitzgerald and Flanagan