Patrick Hillery, 84, the former president of Ireland, died Saturday in a Dublin hospice after a short, undisclosed illness.

As foreign minister, Hillery negotiated Ireland's 1973 entry to the future European Union. He served two terms as president, Ireland's symbolic head of state, and ran unopposed both times -- an unprecedented concession that reflected his cross-party popularity.

Leaders from all parties lauded Hillery as an exceptionally impartial and ethical politician, who confronted anti-British extremism and poor ethical standards within his own party, Fianna Fail.

"He was a man of great integrity, decency and intelligence. He contributed massively to the progress of our country and he is assured of an honored place in Ireland's history," said Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who leads Fianna Fail today.

Former Prime Minister Garret Fitzgerald from the rival Fine Gael party praised Hillery as "one of the most constructive politicians we've had in the last half century."

He will receive a full state funeral.

Nona Beamer, 84, a noted authority on Hawaiian culture and matriarch of the musical Beamer family, died Thursday in her sleep at her home on Maui.

In 1949, Beamer, began teaching Hawaiian culture at the Kamehameha Schools, and remained there for nearly 40 years.

NEWS SERVICES