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Mary Simpson (c.1932 – 22 November 2020) was a Northern Irish unionist politician.

Political career

Simpson was honorary secretary of the Central Armagh Unionist Association from 1974 until 1983, and was elected to Craigavon Borough Council for the Ulster Unionist Party at the 1977 local elections. She held her seat in 1981, and served as Mayor of Craigavon in 1981/2, the first woman to hold the post.

At the 1982 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Simpson stood in Armagh. She took only 721 first-preference votes, leaving her in last position, but she was elected on transfers from party colleagues. At the Assembly, she served on the Environment Committee and as vice-chair of the Education Committee. She was re-elected to her council seat in 1985, but stood down in 1989.

In 1990, Simpson served as Chair of the Craigavon and District Housing Association.

Simpson died on 22 November 2020 at the age of 88.

References

1. ^ Maedhbh McNamara and Paschal Mooney, Women in Parliament: Ireland, 1918-2000, p.236
2. "The Local Government Elections 1973-1981: Craigavon", Northern Ireland Elections
3. "Armagh 1973-1983", Northern Ireland Elections
4. Local Government Elections 1985 - 1989: Armagh, Northern Ireland Elections
5. Bradfield, Philip (24 November 2020). "Council's first woman mayor Mary Simpson was 'kind, determined, formidable and an absolute lady'". Northern Ireland World. Retrieved 12 January 2024.

• 2020 deaths
• Mayors of Craigavon
• Ulster Unionist Party councillors
• Northern Ireland MPAs 1982–1986