Mary Fenech Adami died this afternoon at 3 p.m., aged 77.

Her funeral is being held on Monday at 10.m. at St Helen's Basilica in Birkirkara.

The former president's wife was hospitalised last Saturday after she suffered a heart attack and collapsed at Girgenti Palace during the wedding reception of the prime minister's son.

A former chairman of the Malta Community Chest Fund, Mrs Fenech Adami was a devout Catholic and a people person who dedicated a great deal of time to caring for others while enduring difficult times during her husband’s long political career.

She had told The Sunday Times in an interview in 2007: “I’ve lived my life around people and know the trials and tribulations that life holds and I’ve always tried to help others...

“I am very patient, and always ask God to give me more patience. I enjoy helping people. You forget about yourself and focus on helping someone else.”

Mrs Fenech Adami, who had has been receiving treatment for cancer after being diagnosed with the condition a year ago, leaves to mourn her loss President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami and her five children.

CONDOLENCES

President and Mrs George Abela expressed their condolences at Mrs Fenech Adami’s death.

Mrs Abela said that she knew Mrs Fenech Adami as an affable, humane woman who loved the family, was humble and accepted everyone with a great love.

Mrs Abela, who now worked within the Community Chest Fund, said that at an official level Mrs Fenech Adami applied her beautiful values to help people in need.

 “She was a refuge to people who needed her assistance and will just be remembered, but also loved, as a First Lady.

Dr Abela spoke about Mrs Fenech Adami’s value of love which she spread to the people of Malta and Gozo.

He expressed his condolences with President Emeritus Edward Fenech Adami, personally and on behalf of the people in a telephone call.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi also phoned Dr Fenech Adami to express his condolences following the death of Mrs Fenech Adami.

He said that Mrs Fenech Adami was a mother with strong moral values who had quietly worked for those who needed her help.

He said the Maltese people were united in expressing their grief to Dr Fenech Adami and his family.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat and his wife Michelle said in a statement they were saddened with the news of Mrs Fenech Adami’s demise.

They said they had the opportunity to meet Mrs Fenech Adami several times in the past three years and during these occasions they confirmed her human qualities and she was an inspiration to them.

They offered their condolences to President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami, his children and family on their personal behalf and that of the Labour Party.

The Nationalist Party said everyone agreed Mrs Fenech Adami had had a strong and determined character bringing up a family of five children with all the challenges this brought along.

Meanwhile, she was also a tower of strength and support to Dr Fenech Adami as opposition leader in tough times, when even she and her family were attacked in their home, Prime Minister and President of a country.

She also had a strong sense of solidarity to others, solid values and a great understanding for the vulnerable.

During the time when she headed the Community Chest Fund, she went out of her way to help those in greatest need. Hundeds of families were testimony to her goodness.

Her death, the party said, left a void not only for her family but also for the country.

The Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika also expressed their condolences.