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The deaths of a devoted Enniscorthy couple just two weeks apart has left a huge void in the lives of all who knew and loved them.
Sadie and Peter Nolan of Rectory Road, Enniscorthy died within just two weeks of each other leaving behind their devastated daughter Colette and her family.
73-year-old Sadie died on August 24 followed swiftly by her loving husband Peter on September 7.
Although a native of Ferns Peter settled quickly into Enniscorthy when he moved into Sadie’s (nee Hiney) home place on Rectory Road after the couple married on August 7, 1967.
The couple who were usually seen in the company of each other had celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary a month before their deaths and plans were already in place to celebrate their 50th with a big party for all their family and friends next year.
Sadie was a small woman in statute but on meeting her she made a lasting impression. Generous and kind hearted Sadie had suffered some health problems since undergoing a heart bypass in March 2011 leaving her with limited mobility.
Prior to her marriage to Peter Sadie worked for a time in Whitford’s garage which is where Bill Hendrick’s Tyre Centre is now located. She continued to work there for a short time after their wedding.
Sadie was a very kind and hard working person and she spent a lot of her life looking after other people caring for her mother, her aunt Sarah, her uncle Tom and in more recent years her sister Carmel and brother Jim.
In 1973 Peter started his own light engineering business to the rear of their house and together the couple toiled side by side for the good of the business, Peter doing the metalwork while Sadie kept the books.
Their door was never closed and many’s the night when a knock came to the door requesting an emergency fix up job and the Nolan’s never refused.
Over the years Peter also gave a number of people a start in the engineering business and many of these went on to form their own successful businesses.
The couple retired at Christmas 2010 after over 37 years of business and unfortunately didn’t get the chance to enjoy their retirement as much as they had planned due to Sadie’s triple bypass early the following year.
Both Sadie and Peter adored their only daughter Colette and her husband Barry O’Sullivan who was welcomed into the Nolan family as one of their own. When grandchildren Daniel and Sarah arrived Sadie and Peter came into their own and doted on them. Their grandchildren were their pride and joy and no words could describe the love they had for them. Nothing was too much trouble when it came to them and the children also adored them spending many happy hours at Rectory Road content in the company of their grandparents.
Although Sadie suffered from mobility problems following her triple bypass she didn’t dwell on it. She had such a positive outlook on life viewing her lack of mobility as a fact of life rather than something to dwell on and get upset over.
She always had a smile on her face and faced each day with determination and fortitude.
Peter who had always enjoyed good health took ill in the summer and was diagnosed with cancer in mid July. Despite his illness he remained devoted to Sadie and had effectively been her primary carer for the past seven years. He was always happy to drive her to wherever she wanted to go, whether it was for hospital appointments or a recreational drive.
He was also a keen vintage enthusiast and had a strong involvement with vintage tractor associations around the country. He loved restoring and showing old tractors and was very well known for his skilled craftsmanship.
He was a well respected member of the Irish Vintage Society and often took part in road runs. In fact his last outing before he was hospitalised was a road run in Monageer which he helped to organise. The run which to raise money for Monageer NS and St John’s Hospital in Enniscorthy which was a cause very close to his heart as Sadie had spent a month there prior to her death.
Every Tuesday he used to volunteer at the Irish Agricultural Museum in Johnstown where he helped to restore vintage machinery which had been donated to the museum. This work and with making all the circular lights in the roof of St Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy Peter leaves behind a lasting legacy. His work can also be seen around the county as he made countless railings and gates for premises.
Peter and Colette always attended the National Ploughing Championships every year on the opening day and this year following his death Colette, Barry, Daniel and Sarah travelled to Co Offaly for the championships.
When they visited the vintage section they saw that the members had organised a tribute for him and had his picture on display. There was also a minute’s silence and a flag he had previously donated to the society was flying over the tent.
Although refreshments in the tent are generally free for members the society had placed a contribution bucket there with all money donated going to St John’s Hospital in Enniscorthy.
Although he loved Enniscorthy Peter maintained a very strong connection with his native Ferns and went home every Saturday to visit his late mother and late brother Tom ensuring that they had everything they needed. This Saturday ritual continued all his life and Tinnashrule was where he could be found most Saturdays either cutting grass, restoring vintage tractors and after Colette and Barry’s marriage visiting them and Daniel and Sarah.
Prior to setting up his own business Peter drove a lorry for Kelly’s of Kilpierce and he later drove for Letts delivering drinks to every pub between Wexford and Dublin. Although he didn’t take a drink himself he knew where every pub in Leinster was. During his time on the road he got a great knowledge of every back road and side street and it was a running joke among the Nolan family that Peter never returned on the same road that he went!
He was also a valued member of Ferns Gun Club and held many positions within the club over the years. In a fitting tribute to him the gun club formed a guard of honour for him on the day of his funeral.
The death of the couple who were part of the life’s blood of Rectory Road has left a void not only in the lives of their family but also their neighbours. Rectory Road is a very close knit community with many people living there for most of their lives. Both Sadie and Peter were great neighbours and had forged strong friendships with many of the residents on the road over the years.
Even though not an a native of the road Peter was often affectionately known as ‘The Rock of the Road’.
Sadie and Peter are survived by their heartbroken daughter Colette, son in law Barry, grandchildren Daniel and Sarah and a wide circle of family, friends and neighbours.
Their month’s mind mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 8, at 7pm in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy.