Katherine Zappone announces the death of her wife Ann Louise
Katherine Zappone has today announced the death of her wife Dr Ann Louise Gilligan who passed away following a brief illness.
In a statement the Children's Minister said she was “heartbroken following the passing of my beloved Ann Louise.”
She went on to describe her late wife as “an educator extrordinaire” whose “exceptional love of children lives on through the work of the thousands of primary school teacjers she educated throughout the country.”
The couple have been together since 1981 and campaigned tirelessly during the 2015 marriage equality referendum.
"As a champion of equality, fairness and justice Ann Louise was fearless. Her courage inspired us to make the ultimate commitment with our marriage in British Columbia in 2003."
"The joy of that day was matched for Ann Louise when after tireless campaigning through the courts, the Oireachtas and ultimately on the doorsteps we helped secure marriage equality for everyone in Ireland. "
Minister Zappone went on to thank Proffessor Joe Harbison and all the staff at MISA in St. James Hospital.
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone says she is 'heartbroken' after the death of her wife Ann Louise Gilligan pic.twitter.com/l577Yq569i
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) June 15, 2017
