Maryalwaysfeltat homebytheseaside
Mary McArdle (nee Stephens) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and loved ones on the 4th August, 2016 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
Mary was born on the 14th of May, 1953 to loving parents Bill and Bridie Stephens, and resided with them at her grandparents’ home in the seaside village of Annagassan.
After being christened at the local Dillonstown church, Mary attended St. Finnian’s N.S. and made her first communion with her classmates there before leaving Annagassan and moving to Dundalk with her family.
There she attended the Friary school and lived on Mary Street South before the Stephens family finally moved again to 12 Marian Park. She lived there with her parents and 6 siblings, Mary being the oldest, followed by Martin, Margaret R.I.P, Francis, Bernadette (R.I.P.), Breda and Brian.
During the summer months, weekends and whenever she could, Mary would stay with her grandparents in Annagassan, a place she always felt was her true home. Here she would mind her elderly grandmother who was also named Mary.
She regularly enjoyed visiting her grandparents’ elderly neighbours and keeping them company.
Being the oldest child in the family, she often had the responsibility of looking after her younger siblings whilst both her parents were working.
Mary attended the Tech Secondary School in Dundalk where she studied typing and shorthand and met many of her life-long friends.
Upon leaving school, Mary secured employment in Clarkes Shoes where her father was a maintenance store-man.
Whenever possible, Mary enjoyed going to the dances in the ‘Rock and it wasn’t long before she met the young man, husband to be, Noel, who she loved dearly.
Mary and Noel soon married, and after the passing of her grandfather, were gifted the ownership of her family home in Annagassan.
Here, Mary and Noel would start their own family of Olivia, Sinead, John, Damian, Michael and William. Noel worked hard outside of the home, while Mary worked hard making a home for him and their children.
It was well known that Mary loved the preparation for special occasions. She delighted in visiting shops looking at clothes for her children, suits for her husband, and dresses for herself.
She would never forget a birthday and always had a bounty of cakes and buns, many of which she made herself. She was always very thoughtful and would make sure she had bought gifts for every occasion or just to say thanks.
Mary loved children and she always had a full house with children running in and out of the family home. Before the days of formal crèches, Mary would take on the minding of other kids for neighbours and friends along with her own.
Every summer Mary looked forward to her siblings’´holiday visits to Annagassan, bringing with them her nieces and nephews. She loved going for long walks with her family and friends.
Her family has a proud seafaring background and she loved to talk about their past adventures with the people of the village, many of whom she was related to.
Later, when Mary´s children had grown up, she took on a part-time job as a house-keeper in The Castlebellingham Hotel and she fondly revisited these memories with the new owners earlier this year when she toured the refurbishment.
Mary was devoted to her religion and on occasions visited Lough Derg, Knock and Lourdes.
In her younger years she liked to get involved in bake sales and raising money for charity. She always encouraged her children to get involved in the community, volunteering and taking part in different activities. She enjoyed hosting social events in her home such as Tupperware, clothes and make-up parties. She also joined the local I.C.A. where she continued to get involved in different parish activities.
Mary was very happy in her last year and had a lot to look forward to. She was delighted to become a grandparent in 2015 with the blessing of her granddaughter Eve who she loved spending time with.
She also loved getting dressed up and attending family events and was eagerly awaiting the upcoming wedding celebrations of three of her children, which she will now attend in spirit.
Mary recently had her own health struggles and despite these ailments she would never complain and continued with her daily routine of going round to her friends or up to the local shop chatting with neighbours or passers by. Mary loved nothing more than a good chat and never better without a cup of tea in hand.
Mary is sadly missed by her beloved husband, Noel and their children, Olivia, Sinéad, John, Damien, Michael and Willie, son-in-law Tim, daughters-in-law Trudy and Sharon, granddaughter Eve and Eric, sister Breda, brothers Martin, Frank and Brian, mother-in-law Mollie, brothers-in-law, sistersin-law, nephews, nieces, her close friends Mary, Gráinne and Christina, relatives and friends.
She was sadly pre-deceased by her parents William and Bridie and her sisters Margaret and Bernadette.
After reposing at her home on Friday and Saturday, her removal took place on Sunday morning arriving at St. Finnian’s Church, Dillonstown. The celebrant was Father Daly who was assisted by Fr. Quinn.
Readings were given by her sons, John and Michael. Her daughter Sinead shared a reflection after Holy Communion. Prayers of the faithful were read by her daughter Olivia, brother Martin, sister-in-law Mary, God-children Donna and Laura and daughter-in-law Sharon. Offertory gifts were presented by relatives and her son Damien.
The beautiful and emotional music was provided by the Togher parish choir, solos by her sister Breda, nephew Albert and niece Deborah which included Mary´s favorite hymns. A guard of honour was provided by the Mullaghbawn boys GAA club.
All who knew Mary will sadly miss her, the esteem and regard for her was seen by the big turnout of sympathisers at her home and funeral.
Her immediate and extended family and friends are grateful for the fond memories they have of her and will forever treasure the time they spent with her.
She now rests in the same graveyard as her loving parents and grand-parents in Kilsaran.
Mary’s months mind mass will be celebrated at the 8m Mass in the parish church, Togher on 3rd September.