Dr Mary Toomey, PhD was an extraordinary woman and once you met Mary you never forgot her. She was a very passionate, strong woman who felt very deeply about many aspects of life including ecology, education, human rights and politics. Moreover, Mary had the courage to voice her views and
act on them.

Mary was a world-renowned ecologist and the author of various texts-books and journals on biology and gardening. She wrote three books on Clematis and was a member of many Garden Societies in Ireland, the UK and Internationally. Mary lectured around the world on gardening in general and clematis in particular. She was vitally interested in education and often took someone under her wing and mentored them, especially in the areas of ecology and gardening.

Shortly after moving to Foxrock and realising that there was not a garden club in the area, Mary along with Sally McGuiness, Gertie Eggers RIP, Carmel FitzGerald RIP, Eileen McGee RIP and Sheila Lynch RIP started the Foxrock & District Garden Club.

Mary was the Chairperson of our club for 13 years and because she was renowned in gardening circles internationally, she was able to bring many esteemed speakers to our club, including Roy Lancaster, Anna Pavord and the late Geoff Hamilton who gave his first lecture in Ireland to our club. Mary’s lectures to the club were always of the highest calibre, informative, educational and inspiring, illustrated with excellent slides and often followed by a Q and A session. We are so fortunate to have had someone of the calibre of Mary in our club.

A week before her death and even though she was in considerable pain, Mary was still vitally interested in all that was going on in Ireland and around the world. Her body was failing her but her mind was as sharp as ever.

The Club that was Mary’s brainchild has flourished over the years. The members enjoy a vibrant, friendly club and many of us have made wonderful long lasting friends through it.

We remember Mary with deep affection and a huge sense of gratitude.