Tributes for former Lisburn mayor Margaret Tolerton who ‘brought community leaders together’

The long-serving DUP councillor represented the Dumurry Cross and then Lisburn North.

The current Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Nicholas Trimble, said he had the pleasure of working alongside Mrs Tolerton on the council for a number of years

In a statement on Friday afternoon, he said: “On behalf of the council, I would like to convey our deepest sympathies to Margaret’s children Helen and Ian, son-in-law Neil, granddaughter Emma and their wider family circle at this time.

“Margaret also served as Mayor of Lisburn City Council in 2013/2014, a role which she carried out with distinction.

“She always did her utmost to ensure that our council area had adequate service provision of leisure facilities, healthcare, access to benefits, grant funding and education for all communities.

“Margaret led our path to becoming a Heart City and she was proud to mark 100 Years of Professor Frank Pantridge and his Defibrillator invention in October 2016.”

Cllr Trimble described Mrs Tolerton as “a champion for the Seymour Hill area,” and added: “Her dedication is just one of the reasons we named the new state-of-the-art multi-use games area, opened in 2019, ‘The Tolerton Sports Zone’.

“Margaret was a great advocate for the Seymour Hill and Conway area and always brought community leaders together to enhance local service provision.

“Margaret’s legacy will live on in this local community and with myself and fellow elected representatives.

“We are saddened by the news of Margaret’s passing.

“Her family remain in the thoughts and prayers of both council staff and elected members.”

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