Cathy Hirt served council and much more

Former City Council member Cathy Hirt’s passion for public service stemmed from her parents’ background in their native Hungary.

So it was heartbreaking to hear that she and her husband, Dr. Darrell Hirt, lost their lives while on a trip there Friday.

After World War II, Hirt’s parents stayed in the U.S. because the Soviets had overrun their native land. Her mother, the late Susan Dischka Csáky, was separated from her family for 20 years.

As the daughter of a law professor and a molecular biologist, Hirt achieved both a law degree and a Ph.D. in education policy. She fought fiercely for education and charitable causes during her 25 years in Fort Worth.

Hirt’s service on City Council, from 1996 to 1999, came at a time of divisive city politics in Fort Worth. She brought people together in fractious District 9 and posed a formidable candidacy for mayor in 2003 until former state Sen. Mike Moncrief decided to run.

Today’s successful West Berry Street business district is a result of revitalization work Hirt began.

Hirt brought an independent voice and unquestioned integrity to everything she did, and Darrell Hirt served his nephrology patients proudly. Fort Worth will miss them.

This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Cathy Hirt served council and much more."