Simplify the following text for a Grade 11 native English-speaking person.
Original: It was expected that President Childers ' popular widow , Rita , would be offered the office of president to continue his work , but it went instead to the former Chief Justice , Cearbhall Ã `` DÃ laigh .
Simplified: At first it was expected that President Childers ' widow , Rita , would be offered the office of president to continue his work , but it went instead to the former Chief Justice , Cearbhall Ã `` DÃ laigh .