Mary Banotti, a past politician of Fine Gael, was a strong advocate for women’s rights in Ireland, her daughter Tania mentioned at her funeral service in Dublin. Being the eldest out of six siblings, Mary’s life changed dramatically after her father, Jim O’Mahony, passed away, causing her to quickly mature. Leaving her mundane role as a banking clerk at the age of 19, Mary decided to begin nursing training in London, which eventually took her to New York. During her time in New York, she participated in an off-Broadway play, lived in Greenwich Village and got involved with the civil rights movement.
Subsequently, Mary moved to Kenya to volunteer as a nurse where she met Giovanni, an Italian-Eritrean doctor, who later became Tania’s father. The couple relocated to Rome, but eventually separated. By 1970, Mary found herself starting over in an Ireland that was not supportive of working mothers who were also separated.
Mary Banotti who passed away at St Vincent’s hospital, served as Dublin MEP from 1984 to 2004, and was a presidential candidate for Fine Gael in the 1997 elections. Tania, speaking at her funeral at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Foxrock, shared how her mother worked tirelessly for the betterment of Irish women when she returned to Ireland in 1970.
With other pioneering feminists including Nuala Fennell, Gemma Hussey, Monica McWilliams, and Catherine McGuinness, Mary contributed in establishing Women’s Aid and advocated for the Family Home Protection Act. The transformations in Ireland’s society can be attributed directly to these determined women, Tania stated.
Mary’s most notable role was as the EU’s first mediator of parentally abducted children, influenced by the fact that Tania herself was abducted as an infant. Mary turned this personal tragedy into action, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to address the issue.
Even though Mary did not triumph in her biggest campaign, the 1997 presidential election, she was very proud to be involved in an election that had only female candidates, Tania recalled. Throughout her life, Mary was passionate about politics, considering the European stage as her Broadway.
The fond memories of entertaining resonated well with her, her most ambitious culinary venture being an elaborate goose roast for an anonymous British diplomat. The dish was so rich it end up slipping off the kitchen counter and landing under the dining table, much to her amusement. Front the diplomat’s parting comments, it seemed to be a high point during his tenure. In the following months, deep conversations around the current affairs in Gaza became a common occurrence between Tania and her mother. Mary Banotti’s strong support for Palestine was well-known in her capacity as an MEP.
Her mother was not only an indefatigable supporter, but a source of amusement for Tania and her circle as she never missed an occasion to express voluminous pride in her daughter, every birthday labeling her as ‘capolavoro’, her masterpiece. Mary’s mantra ‘sursum corda’, meaning ‘lift your hearts’ is what guides Tania as she embarks on a new chapter of her life, one she will take on with a heavy heart but with her mother’s spirit.
Family friend Olga Harrington led the Prayers of the Faithful, dedicating it to those embroiled in war and poverty, not forgetting the children robbed of a lifetime of experiences. Mary’s dedication to children was saluted as an inspiration as prayers were offered for many to adopt her commitment to peace, justice, and equality. The mass was officiated by Fr Pat O’Donoghue and Canon Alison Shine, Mary’s goddaughter. Among the mourners were Tania, Mary’s siblings Michael O’Mahony, Nora Owen, Catherine O’Mahony and Joan O’Mahony, and President Michael D Higgins, represented by his aide Stephen Howard.
The procession was graced by Taoiseach Simon Harris, TD Richard Bruton, and Chris Andrews, Senator Barry Ward, MEP Frances Fitzgerald, journalists Vincent Browne, Stephen Collins, Olivia O’Leary, and former Abbey Theatre director, Christopher Fitzsimons. The cremation took place at Mount Jerome in Harold’s Cross, Dublin.