LADY Ann Fitt, whose husband, Lord Fitt of Bells' Hill was a founder member of the SDLP and a former party leader, died at her home in Kent yesterday after a short illness. Her five daughters were at her bedside. Lady Fitt (74), who suffered from asthma, developed a serious respiratory illness last year.
Lord Fitt said his wife had made an important contribution to Northern politics. "I won 19 out of the 22 elections I stood for and I never would have achieved it without Ann. She was with me every inch of the way," he said.
"When I was at Westminster as MP for West Belfast she ran my constituency advice centre. She helped thousands of people with housing and welfare problems. She was a wonderful woman."
The SDLP chairman, Mr Johnathon Stephenson, said Lady Fitt had "contributed enormously to the life of the community and the development of the SDLP". The SDLP MP for west Belfast, Dr Joe Hendron, said she had been "a tower of strength" to her husband. "She was an outstanding" person and a great lady," he said.
Lady Fitt served on Belfast City Corporation for a short period from 1972 to 1973. The Fitts' home on the Antrim Road in north Belfast was attacked by republicans on countless occasions over the years.
"It was stoned and petrol-bombed regularly," said Lord Fitt. "One night they actually broke into the house when Ann was suffering an asthma attack. I had to produce my legally held gun to get them out.
"After I lost the 1983 Westminster election in West Belfast to Gerry Adams, the house was attacked again. I didn't want to keep putting Ann through all that so we decided to live in England permanently.
"Ann and I may have been physically in England but we have stayed in Northern Ireland emotionally every day." Lady Fitt received a Woman of Achievement award from Woman's Own magazine in 1983.
She was born in Castlederg, Co Tyrone. She met Gerry Fitt, then a merchant seaman, in 1946 when she was working as a telephonist in London.
"We went on a blind date which was arranged by friends. We met up at Hyde Park Corner on February 23rd at 4 p.m. and we went back there every year, the same time, the same place, for our anniversary," Lord Fitt said.
"We married eight months after we met. I would have married her after eight days if it had been possible. We were married for 49 years. I was hoping we would have made it to 50." Lady Fitt will be buried in Kent this week.