‘A truly remarkable wife and mother’

The passing of Mary Maher, 6 Wood Road, Ballynacargy, on Sunday January 28, was greeted with sadness by her loving family and many friends.

Mary lived all of her life in Ballynacargy, being born in 1949 to her parents Jimmy and Maggie Scott. It was while living in Ballysallagh that she met her future husband Mick, just a few doors away.

They moved to 6 Wood Road when those houses were built and that is where they raised their family of five, teaching important values that have stood the test of time.

Mary was loyal and true and was totally dedicated to caring for her family. Her working life took her to St Loman’s hospital, Mullingar, where a job in the launderette was undertaken. She was also a childminder in Mullingar for a time.

However, the majority of her life centred around her family and they were always her main focus. She loved her children and wanted the best for them in life. One of the duties she undertook when they were growing up was to call to the local primary school in Ballynacargy for progress reports, or otherwise, and she made a habit of calling during the academic year such was her interest. That continued when they went to secondary school in Mullingar.

She was of old stock and honesty was always fundamental in all walks of life. When her late husband fell ill, Mary became totally devoted to being his carer for many years and they had some memorable outings away to family resorts.

Her late husband’s passing 18 years ago left a big void and Mary dealt with the grief that inevitably brought. She was selfless and her focus became her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

She was busy in her own community, a place she loved and she beavered with the local FÁS scheme for some years, working primarily in the local parish hall and church. She was a member of the Young at Heart Club and took an active interest in Cara Phort, the Ballynacargy resource centre. She retained close links with the Carers Association and undertook a course in childcare. She had a passion for music and reading, while gardening was another pastime, and she always retained an interest in the local GAA club and their fortunes. Her home was a welcoming place and the kettle was always on the boil. Her culinary skills always shone, especially at Christmas, and daily household chores were accompanied by favourite songs.

Friday trips to Mullingar on the local bus were a must and she loved meeting up with her family for the cup of tea, always with two tea bags. Mary was a very social, friendly person and had a word for everyone in the community and the many people who came to her removal and funeral recalled those traits.

She loved the annual Knock pilgrimage and it was a must every August. Mary had a special affinity towards Our Lady of Knock and Lourdes and had a great love of the Rosary. As a family, we remember those Sunday evening devotions in the local church and the month of May was a special time of year for Mary.

Sadly, illness visited in recent years, but she was determined to battle on for her family and never gave in. Mary passed away peacefully, at the Newbrook Nursing Home, Mullingar, where she found contentment and took part in the sing-along. She is survived by her loving family, sons Michael, Damien and James; daughters Audrey and Fiona; brother Malachy; adored grandchildren, Shannon, Rhianna and Alyssia; great grandchildren, Nevaeh, Bonnie, Sadie and Warren; daughter-in-law Miriam; sisters-in-law Philomena, Vera and Annie; and other relatives, and is mourned by her many friends. She was predeceased by her parents Jimmy and Margaret; brother James; sister Margaret; husband Mick, and daughter-in-law Claire.

Her funeral Mass was on Wednesday, January 31 in the Church of The Nativity, Ballynacargy, a place she loved and was very familiar with.

The symbols brought forward before her funeral Mass represented the kind of simple life she lived. It was one of deep faith and she was a daily Mass goer until she fell ill. Her phone was so vital for keeping in touch with family members and friends and the photo album represented the love she had for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A music CD symbolised Mary’s love of artists like Mike Denver, Jimmy Buckley, Daniel O’Donnell, Philomena Begley and the late Joe Dolan. A deck of playing cards underlined her love of the game of 25, in which she would show her competitive edge. Finally, the family portraits symbolised Mary’s dedication to her adored family. And while we are sad at her passing, as a family we are proud of the values she taught us down through the years and so grateful that she enriched our lives. She was our inspiration, a beacon of light, a truly remarkable wife and mother.

“All that we are or ever hope to be, we owe to our angel mother.”

Ár dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.