Businesswoman behind Pennys and Brown Thomas Hilary Weston dies aged 83
She was prominent in the early days of Penneys and later ran Brown Thomas for after her husband, Irish-Canadian billionaire Galen Weston bought the retailer.
Ms Weston was later a vice-chair of the Weston's Canadian luxury retail chain, Holt Renfrew.
A statement by her family said: 'A beloved wife, proud mother, cherished sister, adoring grandmother and loyal friend, Hilary's life was shaped by her quiet strength, enduring generosity, and a deep commitment to helping others.
"Over their loving 55-year marriage, Hilary and the late W. Galen Weston supported each other in family, business and community life, with a mutual devotion to public service.
'From her early days working as a fashion model to support her widowed mother and younger siblings, to her decades as a distinguished business leader, philanthropist and public servant, Hilary lived a life of deep and far-reaching impact.'
Tánaiste and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Harris, paid tribute to the late businesswoman, describing her as a 'very proud Irish-Canadian, who served both Ireland and Canada with distinction and generosity'.
In a statement he said: 'I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hilary Weston.'
'In addition to her successful businesses and public service in Canada, through her leadership of the Ireland Funds Canada, she made a lasting contribution to Irish-Canadian relations.
'I extend sincere condolences to her children, Alannah and Galen, and the entire Weston family,' Mr Harris added.
In a joint statement, Brown Thomas said: 'Everyone at Brown Thomas Arnotts is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hilary Weston - a truly remarkable person. Along with her husband Galen, her vision and enduring support for Irish culture and Irish enterprise laid the foundations for the success we enjoy today.
'On behalf of all of us at Brown Thomas Arnotts, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Weston family at this time. Her memory and impact will not be forgotten.'
She is survived by her two children, Allanah Weston and Galen Weston Jr, and predeceased by her husband, Galen Weston, who died in 2021 following a long illness.
Hilary Weston, née Frayne, was born in Dún Laoghaire in 1942 as the eldest of five children.
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