Community saddened by Bridie’s passing
PEOPLE throughout Enniscorthy and the Portlaw area of Co Waterford were saddened recently to learn of the passing of Bridie Courtney, 27 Ross Road, Enniscorthy.
Bridie, who was in her 98th year, passed away peacefully in St John’s Hospital, Enniscorthy, on Friday, January 24.
Beloved wife of the late Jack Courtney, Bridie was originally a Cahill from Portlaw.
Born on September 26, 1922, she had three sisters and three brothers, who all pre-deceased her: Philomena; Annie; Mary; Danny; Tom and John.
Renowned for her music ability she was a well-known and successful singer who took part in numerous concerts in her younger years.
She was very talented and won numerous competitions
She had a lifelong passion for music and it was something she inherited from her father.
She loved different genres but ballads and waltzes were her favourites along with the odd piece by Bach as well.
Bridie was a woman of great faith and was a founder member of the Padre Pio group in Enniscorthy.
She was devoted to the church and enjoyed going on many different pilgrimages especially to the Holy Land, San Giovanni, Rome, Lourdes and Medjugorje.
Bridie was very well versed in current affairs and was an avid reader of books but she enjoyed works that were fact based and informative.
Knowledgeable of world affairs she could talk politics and Kardashians with authority.
She also loved doing crosswords puzzles and completed them on a daily basis.
Bridie was a straight-talker and her honesty was something that endeared her to everyone she met.
She enjoyed a long life and put her longevity down to spring water and honey.
In her youth she loved taking part in charity walks and was always willing to help others in whatever way she could.
Unfortunately, her life was tinged with sadness and she lost two of her sons, Edward (10) and Peter (60).
Prior to getting married she worked as a nursing orderly in England.
On one occasion when she returned home to Portlaw she met the man who would become her husband, Jack Courtney.
Jack was in the army at the time - he was a member of the army band - and was stationed in nearby Curraghmore and having met at a dance they became inseparable.
Bridie never returned to England and the couple married and settled in Enniscorthy.
They lived for a short time in Bellefield but enjoyed many happy years together on the Ross Road where they reared a very respected family.
Bridie was very family orientated and was interested in all aspects of her children’s lives.
She was also very close to her nieces and nephews in Portlaw and they visited her frequently.
Bridie’s family were overwhelmed by the level of support they received from relatives, neighbours and friends following Bridie’s passing and they are also very appreciative of the care she received in St John’s Hospital.
The high regard in which he was held was underlined by the large gathering of mourners who congregated in St Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, for her requiem mass on Monday, January 27, and at the burial afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery.
Bridie is survived by her children: Tony, Marion, Oliver, Phil, and Pam.
She was pre-deceased by her sons, Edward and Peter.
Bridie is sadly missed by her loving family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and large circle of friends.