PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins led tributes yesterday to Peace People co-founder Betty Williams describing how "working for peace became her whole life".
The Nobel laureate and peace activist died on Tuesday at the age of 76.
Ms Williams, who was from Andersonstown, formed the Peace People in 1976 along with Mairead Corrigan and Ciaran McKeown.
In a statement on the Peace People website, Ms Williams was described as one of the "great founder members" of the organisation.
The body began as a protest movement against the on-going violence in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
The movement was formed after the deaths of three children in west Belfast who were hit and killed by a car driven by IRA man Danny Lennon who had seconds earlier been fatally shot by a British soldier.
The three Maguire children Joanne (8) and Andrew (6 weeks) died at the scene while John (2) succumbed to his injuries at a hospital the following day.
Mairead Corrigan, whose sister Anne was the mother of the three children, went on television after the deaths to make an emotional plea for the killings to stop.
Two days later she and Mrs Williams, who was one of the first people on the scene of the tragedy on Finaghy Road North in west Belfast, formed the organisation along with Ciaran McKeown. Both women were later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.
Ms Williams left the Peace People in 1980 and later emigrated to America, returning to Ireland in 2004.
She was pictured in public in January when she accompanied Hollywood film star Sharon Stone to Belfast City Hall to sign a Book of Condolence in memory of former SDLP deputy leader Seamus Mallon.
During her lifetime, Mrs Williams was the recipient of more than 20 major awards and doctorates around the world, including the People's Peace Award in Norway.
Speaking about her friend, Mairead Corrigan Maguire described Mrs Williams as "a woman of great courage with a passion for peace and a love and compassion for all children.
"I felt privileged to know her as a great peace activist and friend," she said.
Deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill was last night among those who paid tribute to the well known peacemaker.
"Saddened to hear of the death of Betty Williams. She was known throughout the world for her work. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time," she said.
Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin said: "We dedicate ourselves to working with our neighbours, near and far, day in and day out, to build that peaceful society in which the tragedies we have known are a bad memory and a continuing warning” (Peace People Pledge 1976) Rest in Peace, Betty Williams".
Tánaiste Simon Coveney said he was "very sorry to learn of passing of Betty Williams, campaigner for peace and Nobel laureate.
"As co-founder of the Peace People she stood up at a time of violence, to give a message of hope and determination for a better future. Our thoughts and sympathies are with her family".
The US Consulate in Belfast also took to social media to pay tribute to Ms Williams.
"We were saddened to learn of the death of Nobel Laureate Betty Williams. Her convictions were driven by a deep-rooted desire for peace in Northern Ireland, and we join others in saluting her courage and her strength."
