MARY Philomena (Phil) Tuohy (nee O'hara), Kincullew, was the County Sligo Person of the Year 1998 and has been described as "the corner stone of her community" in Aclare.

She made an outstanding personal contribution to the social and cultural needs of the area and she also played a prominent role in spearheading industrial development there.

Phil was educated at Kilmactigue National School and moved to Castlerock at ten years of age to allow her study subjects in Irish. She went to Tourmakeady for her secondary eduction and attended Carysfort teaching college.

Although she began her teaching career in county Wicklow, Phil returned to take up a post in Kilmactigue National School in 1953 and four years later she was appointed Principal, a position she held until her retirement in 1991.

Following her return to Aclare she devoted her life to community work and through trojan efforts also helped to ensure that the youth of the area had a place to socialise and play indoor sports long before venues of the kind were available elsewhere.

She joined Aclare Development Council in the late 1980's and served as Secretary, a position she held when former President Mary Macaleese visited in 2004.

She spearheaded a deputation to the Department of the Environment to seek funding for a voluntary housing scheme in the village. Funding was secured and with the help of Sligo County Council eight houses were built-three family houses and five for the elderly.

Phil also helped others with a major fundraising drive to raise funds for a local contribution for public lighting and with assistance from LEADER and Sligo County Council a new lighting system was installed in the village, costing in the region of £20,000 at the time.

She was involved in the development of a number of local car parks and was a member of a committee which worked with Sligo County Council to build an advance factory in the mid-1980's and which ultimately brought Aclare Plastics to the area.

A life-long member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association she organised the Church choir and altar society for many years and in 1988 she undertook the office of Eucharistic Minister and was one of the first appointed in the parish of Kilmactigue.

She was also a member of the local graveyard committee and was a member of the Kilmactigue National School reunion committee which organised a huge event in recent years.

Phil managed the administration of many Fás schemes over the years and during her teaching career she ensured her school and parish were always represented at Scór. She was especially proud when Colm O'donnell won an All-ireland title.

She served on the local Community Games committee for many years and from her guidance past pupils are now active members of the Aclare Development Council and have overseen the development of an astro turf pitch, basketball and tennis facilities, play area and an outdoor gym.

She organised set-dancing and ceili dancing classes for all ages, served on the catering committee and was involved in a large scale Famine commemoration re-enactment which attracted over 800 people to the village.

Phil was the original instigator of the Aclare St. Patrick's Day Parade and acted as 'master of ceremonies' and in 1998 was honoured as the Parade's first lady Grand Marshall.

She was a member of the original Kilmactigue Hall committee and later the Kilmactigue community centre and will be fondly remembered as a tireless community worker.

Phil is survived by her husband Dan (Donal); daughter, Maria; son, Justin; son-inlaw, Fin; daughter-in-law, Sarena; sisters-inlaw, nephews, nieces, relatives, past pupils, colleagues and many, many friends.

The large turnout at both the removal and funeral was testimony to the esteem and love with which she was held. Removal took place from Brennan's Funeral Home, Kilmactigue, to the Church of the Holy Rosary and at the Requiem Mass, former pupils Colm O'donnell, Tommy Fleming and Annette Meers together with Kieran Lundy, provided the music while neighbour Tom O'hara read a poem.

Burial took place afterwards in the new cemetery, Kilmactigue.