Mary Fenech Adami, 'a rock of stability to husband, family, and country' - Gonzi

Mary Fenech Adami“was a rock against which she anchored not only her husband and family, but also the whole population,” Gonzi said, speaking in honour of Eddie Fenech Adami’s wife who passed away late last week.

He added that, independently of political colour or orientation, everyone saw the same things in Mary Fenech Adami: “a rock of stability upon which anyone could count on for help and support.”

“All those who knew Mary Fenech Adami, knew her as a woman who never missed a chance to pass on a word of encouragement,” Gonzi said. He added that she was never lost hope and was capable of reassuring others with words of encouragement.

This held true both during her own hard times, and those of others. “She wasn’t one to say it for the sake of it, but because she truly felt for others in their time of need,” Gonzi said.

He said that Mary Fenech Adami was also a role model for all those who went into politics, which invariably brought with it the hard times stemming from one’s duties and position.

Gonzi added that Mary Fenech Adami proved capable of sharing both her husband’s hard times, as well as the good times.

He expressed solidarity not only with her husband former president Eddie Fenech Adami and her family, but also Nationalist MP and Mary Fenech Adami’s son Beppe Fenech Adami.

Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said that politics aside, Mary Fenech Adami was an example of dignity, respect and a model of the classic Maltese woman who did far more than care for her family.

He said her values came to the fore even during hard times when “cowards tainted this side of the house with actions that I condemn categorically” Muscat said, recalling a mob attack on the Fenech Adami household in 1979.

In his own address, an emotional Beppe Fenech Adami spoke of the service his mother gave to politics and her country.

He said that throughout the years, his mother remained the same person: a woman who was always close to the people, down to earth, and strong her own values: “Birkirkara’s daughter.”

He said that looking back over her life, he said that he could do nothing but thank god for the mother he had growing up and was able to share with everyone.

He said that she was a woman who never saw political colours, who welcomed everyone, and who “forgave when it was hard to do so.”

Beppe Fenech Adami also urged the house to look upon Mary Fenech Adami and see her as a lesson to be learned in how to conduct one’s self and deal with others.