The Tánaiste has paid tribute following the death of Hilary Weston, aged 83.
Dublin-born Ms Weston, a former fashion model turned philanthropist and businesswoman helped build both Penneys and Brown Thomas as part of her husband’s retail businesses.
In early days of Penneys – she designed dresses which she had made up by local makers to put in the window for sale for young women and later brought international designers to Ireland.
Simon Harris said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the passing of Ms Weston.
“Hillary was a very proud Irish-Canadian, who served both Ireland and Canada with distinction and generosity.
“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,” he said.
“I extend sincere condolences to her children Alannah and Galen, and the entire Weston family.”
Ms Weston met her late husband Galen Weston in 1963 while he was working in Ireland, and they married three years later and were together for 55 years until his death in 2021.
Ms Weston served as a deputy chair of Holt Renfrew, was a director of Brown Thomas and Co. in Ireland, and a director of Selfridges Group based in the UK during her lifetime.
The CEO of Brown Thomas and Arnotts, Donald McDonald, also paid tribute to Ms Weston, describing her as a truly remarkable person.
“Everyone at Brown Thomas Arnotts is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hilary Weston.
“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, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Weston family at this time. Her memory and impact will not be forgotten.”
She established the Ireland Fund of Canada in 1979, to raise money for good causes.
“Her lifelong passion for the arts, education, health research, and volunteerism culminated in recent years with the creation of The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation.
“Since 2021, the foundation has committed close to $150 million to innovative charities impacting healthcare, education, women, refugees and the environment in Canada, Ireland and the UK,” her family said in a statement after confirming her death.
They added that as a public servant, Ms Weston lived a life of “deep and far-reaching impact”.
As Ontario’s 26th Lieutenant Governor, she shone a light on the contributions of volunteers, women, and youth. She had a lifelong passion for the arts, education, health research, and volunteerism, they said.
