 She took constituency surgeries on his behalf when he was attending Parliament, and also sat in on committees in Westminster.Frank McElhone died in Glasgow on 22 September 1982, while participating in a 'Day of Action' march and demonstration in support of National Health Service workers; his death meant a by-election must be held.His wife was not initially considered a likely candidate, but local party colleagues were said to have persuaded her to put her name forward for the selection contest.