Local tennis legend and Justice of the Peace, Tita Stagnetto, dies aged 91

Irene Stagnetto, known to many as Tita, has died at the age of 91.

A well-known figure in Gibraltar’s sporting, civic and social life, Mrs Stagnetto was one of the Rock’s long-established tennis players, having taken up the sport at the age of 11. Her career saw her compete in Spain, Morocco, the United States and Canada, and she also devoted decades to coaching future generations of players.

Away from sport, she served as a Justice of the Peace for 23 years and became the first woman to be elected President of the Magistrates Association, a post she held for five years.

Mrs Stagnetto was also closely associated with the Bayuca restaurant, which she ran alongside her late husband Johnnie after the closure of the frontier in 1969. The restaurant became a popular venue for Gibraltarians, visiting Royal Naval officers and well-known figures, including Prince Charles, Tommy Cooper, Deborah Kerr and Michael Palin.

She was also a founder trustee of Childline Gibraltar.

Our condolences to her son Jonathan, daughter Tanya, her grandchildren and her family.