A MOTHER-OF-FOUR who died on holiday in Slovakia has been described as "one of life's ladies".
Margaret White, from Beragh in Co Tyrone, died on April 10 as a result of septicaemia.
The 64-year-old grandmother, who was originally from Castlecaulfield, began to feel unwell on the day she left Ireland but her condition worsened while on a river cruise in Slovakia with her husband William.
She was taken to hospital but died two days after she had begun her holiday.
Ulster Unionist councillor Allan Rainey, who is also Mr White's cousin, said she had been due to celebrate her 65th birthday next week.
"The family had been planning a party for her," he said.
Mr Rainey said Mrs White's death had come as a "terrible shock to the whole family".
"Their strong Christian principles and faith are holding them together - that has been the bedrock for them to get them through this prolonged time after the initial shock of her death," he said.
He said Mrs White was a "most reserved lady" who was devoted to her family, including her husband of 44 years.
"She and William were a perfect match together. They were a pillar in the community - the kind that others could base their life on," he said.
Mr Rainey said Mrs White, whose father died last year, visited her 90-year-old mother in Castlecaulfield every Tuesday without fail.
Her funeral is due to take place at Clogherney Presbyterian Church in Beragh at 2pm today.
