Bridget Roche marked her 100 th birthday last year
THERE was great sadness in the community when Bridget Roche (nee Kinsella), of Ballyshaun, Camolin, and formerly of Ballycanew, went to her eternal reward on Tuesday January 2, leaving behind to cherish her memory her heartbroken family, friends and the community where she was loved.
Bridget was born as World War I raged across Europe on Friday, July 20, 1917, to Patrick and Joanna Kinsella (nee Fortune), of Coolamain, Oylegate where the family owned a farm.
She went to the local school and helped out on the family farm, where she loved working outdoors with her father.
As she reached adulthood, she moved to Dublin where she worked for several years, before moving to London to be closer to the love of her life, Peter Roche a native of Garryvadden, Blackwater, who was working in the limestone quarries of the Cotswolds.
They married in 1949, and set up home in Winchcome, near Cheltenham.
Eleven years later, they sold up and returned home, settling with their six children on a farm at Raheenaskeagh, Oulart. Bridget later worked as a publican in the Unyoke, and later postmistress in Ballycanew.
Family, friends, and neighbours gathered on July 20, 2017, to mark Bridget’s milestone 100th birthday. Her fond friends Fr Joe Kavanagh and Fr Thomas Orr celebrated Mass for her in her Ballyshaun home. A party followed, and Bridget sent her sincere appreciation to everyone who travelled long and short distances to be there, especially Dr Peter Harrington for being with her on her special occasion.
Bridget died after a short illness at her home in Ballyshaun.
She was received at St Molin’s Church Ballycanew by Fr Joe Kavanagh, PP Camolin, and Fr Tomás Kehoe, CC Ballycanew, who both celebrated her Funeral Mass. She was laid to rest in the St Bridget’s Cemetery, Blackwater.
Bridget is predeceased by her son Kevin (November 9, 1974); her husband Peter (July 21, 1989) her four brothers, Patsy, John, Joe and Mike and sister Margaret (Peg) Quirke. She is deeply mourned and sadly missed by her sister Josie Shannon, Carlow; her sister-in-law Bridget Kinsella of Piltown; by her daughters Alice Quinn, Christine Keogh and Joan Kavanagh, her sons Jim and Peadar; sons-in-law John, Colm and Michael; daughters-in-law Noeleen and Miriam; her 13 grandchildren Shane, Aidan, Kevin, Richard, Emma, Sean, Joanna, Alison, Peter, Kevin, Bríd, Peter and Lydia; great-grandchildren; Lauren, Alex, Sean and Kian, nieces, nephews, cousins, good neighbours and many friends.
The family wish to thank sincerely all those who sympathised phoned and helped in anyway on their recent sad loss. Thanks to those who travelled long distances. A special thanks to all their good neighbours and friends, all who called to the house, those who sent Mass- cards and novenas. Thanks to Fr Kavanagh and Fr Kehoe who celebrated the beautiful Mass, for Fr Kavanagh’s prayers and support to the family. Many thanks to Kat Kavanagh, Noeleen Roche, Bridie Houlihan for the beautiful singing and Anne- Marie Stafford for the music at the Mass. A special thanks to Aidan Murphy Funeral Directors for his professionalism which was wonderful and much appreciated; also gravediggers Jim and Andy Roche and Jason O’Leary; to Dr Peter Harrington; district nurse Edel Doyle; carer Eilish Redmond; and Ann Gortland and nurses from the North Wexford Hospice Care who cared for Bridget.
May she rest in peace.