Fife MSP Helen Eadie died this morning surrounded by her family following a short battle with cancer.
The 66-year-old Scottish Labour and Co-operative Party politician was being treated at Queen Margaret Hospital’s hospice in Dunfermline.
She took ill while campaigning in the town ahead of the by-election on October 24.
Mrs Eadie was given a CT scan on the day of the poll and subsequent tests confirmed she had cancer.
Despite the devastating blow she continued to conduct parliamentary business from her hospital bed, instructing staff to keep her office running.
She was married to Bob, a former Fife councillor. They have two daughters, Fiona and Jemma, and three grandsons.’We are so proud’A statement released by Mrs Eadie’s son-in-law, Gavin Yates, said: “When Helen passed away she was surrounded by her family. She leaves a huge hole in our lives but we are so proud of what she has achieved for those she served.
“We are grateful to Helen’s wonderful friends and colleagues who have been so supportive in recent times.”’A passionate champion of social justice’Tributes were also paid by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath said: “The whole of Fife is mourning. Well known in all the different communities of the area from Kelty and Ballingry to Rosyth, Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, Helen will be remembered as a passionate champion of social justice, putting the case for women’s equality, for youth employment and for better care of the elderly.
“Helen was born in Stenhousemuir and educated at Larbert High School, and was a graduate of the London School of Economics. She was an active member of the Church of Scotland and she has served with distinction on the Scottish Parliament’s health, transport, public petitions and European and external relations committees.
“Our thoughts today are with her husband, Bob, and her daughters, Fiona and Jemma.”
Mrs Eadie represented the Cowdenbeath constituency of 71,000 people which includes Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay and Rosyth to the south and Lochgelly, Cardenden and Kelty to the north.
She was first elected in 1999 to the former Dunfermline East seat, which was replaced prior to the last election.’Tremendous passion and commitment’Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said she is “deeply saddened” by Mrs Eadie’s death.
“Helen was very precious to her family,” she said. “She played an important part in helping to establish the credibility of Holyrood.
“She will also be fondly remembered within the Scottish co-operative movement. Her commitment to delivering change in our communities was the essence of her political beliefs and values.
“Helen was a politician of tremendous passion and commitment. She was her own woman who didn’t fit the political stereotype. Perhaps that’s why some underestimated her, but her difference was why she was admired by the people of her constituency.
“She will be missed by many and will be remembered across her constituency in standing up for their needs and concerns.”
Mrs Lamont added: “My thoughts and those of the whole Scottish Labour movement will be with Helen’s family at this difficult time.”’Her family can be proud’First Minister Alex Salmond also paid tribute, saying: “My sincere condolences go to Helen Eadie’s family, friends and colleagues. Helen served the people she represented diligently over the years, first as a Fife councillor and then as MSP for Dunfermline East and Cowdenbeath.
“Helen was also one of the Scottish Parliament’s original MSPs first elected in 1999, and that unbroken 14-year period at Holyrood is a not inconsiderable record of public service of which her family can be rightly proud.”’Inspiring to observe’Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Willie Rennie said: “As fellow parliamentarians for West Fife, Helen’s intense, burning commitment to socialism was inspiring to observe.
“Although a gentle and kind lady you did not cross Helen without suffering from the sharp end of her tongue.
“Helen made waves for her causes and her constituents. My thoughts are with Bob, family and friends.”
Prior to her election to Holyrood, Mrs Eadie was a full-time trade union official for the GMB and a councillor.
She also worked for two MPs, including her father-in-law, former MP for Midlothian Alex Eadie, and was on James Callaghan’s general election campaign team.
Additional reporting by Kieran Andrews