The Lord Mayor of Cork has led the tributes to Mary Hopkins, founder of Hopkins Communications, who has passed away.

Fianna Fáil councillor Fergal Dennehy, Lord Mayor of Cork, said he wished, on behalf of the people of Cork, to extend his deepest condolences to Ms Hopkins’ family and friends.

“Mary was a much-loved and highly-respected member of our community and our business sector,” Mr Dennehy said.

“Throughout her life, she gave generously of her time, her energy, and her spirit to the people and the city she cared for so deeply.

“She touched many lives through her kindness, her compassion, and her unwavering commitment to helping others.

“Whether through her community involvement, her support for local initiatives, or simply the warmth and friendship she showed to those around her, she leaves behind a legacy of service and love that will endure.

“I know I speak for the entire city when I say that her loss will be profoundly felt.”

In a tribute, Ms Hopkins’s family said she had been “an inspirational woman on so many levels — a devoted wife to Dave, a wonderful mum to Mark and Judy, and an adoring grandmother to Jack and Anna.

“She was a trusted friend to so many and a fierce supporter of others, particularly women in business.

“Though a proud Limerick native, she forged lasting relationships throughout Cork’s business community and beyond, contributing tirelessly to voluntary groups, boards, and organisations over the years.

“Founding our family business 35 years ago, she worked tirelessly to grow Hopkins Communications into the company it is today.”

Ms Hopkins had been involved over several decades in the business life of the city, and Niamh Murphy, a board director at the Cork Business Association, said her loss would be keenly felt.

“Mary was a prominent businesswoman in Cork city for nearly 40 years, and together with a small handful of pioneering peers, she paved the way for all of us women in business today,” she said.

“She was creative, passionate, and an inspiring mentor to so many across the business community, including myself.

“Our thoughts are with her husband Dave, her children Mark and Judy, her colleagues at Hopkins Communications, and all of her extended family and friends at this difficult time.”

Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, said he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ms Hopkins.

He said: “Mary was a pioneering businesswoman who established her own successful agency, Hopkins Communications, in Cork in the early 1990s, and remained a hugely respected and much-loved presence in our business community ever since.

“She served on our board of directors, chaired the members services committee more than 30 years ago, and helped establish initiatives such as the Cork Chamber Golf Classic, which continues to this day.

“Giving back to the business community was simply in her spirit. It is a very sad day for the Cork business community, and Mary will be greatly missed.”

Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, founder and CEO of AM O’Sullivan PR, said she had known Ms Hopkins when she was “one of very few Cork businesswoman and company founders”.

“Mary was always a trailblazer,” Ms O’Sullivan said. “She had an absolutely larger-than-life personality, and she never shirked from her position as a woman in business.

“She was always to the front in putting Cork first, but she also served as an example for a lot of us who followed on from her.”

Jonathan Healy, founder of Healy Communications, echoed the description of Ms Hopkins as a trailblazer.

“Mary set an incredibly high standard for everyone to follow,” he said. “Her passing will be noted by her friends in many different sectors. Mary was always very generous to me, and I know to other colleagues. She will be sadly missed.”