Veraovercamealllife’schallenges
VERA Bray, of Saint Mary’s Villas, Kilsaran, died suddenly on 15 August in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, resulting in widespread shock and sadness.
She was a lady with an immense heart, who never let life get her down, although she had ample cause over the course of a life in which, among other tragedies, she lost three sons and two other children very early in infancy.
Her large family was also left homeless when their home was destroyed by fire.
She rose above all this hardship, which would overwhelm most people, dedicating her life to her family, especially her son Harry; and she was so good to neighbours and others, with nothing ever too much trouble.
Vera especially loved children, and was totally involved with her family, down to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, all of whom had a special fondness for her.
She was always readily available to help out babysitting if the need arose.
Vera hailed from the Big Strand in the townland of Cruicetown, Clogherhead. She was the daughter of the late Owen and Mary Sharkey.
She attended school in Walshestown, and went out to work in the domestic service of large houses in the area.
She met Freddy Bray from Stabannon, and their relationship led to the couple marrying in 1951.
They set up home in Braganstown, Castlebellingham, where they lived for years. Freddy worked as a farm labourer for Crothers of Braganstown for many years.
A series of tragedies befell the family. Vera lost her children, Pauline and Sean within a fortnight of their births.
The family had grown to seven when their home was burned down, the children ranging in age from infants to national school-going age.
There was further tragedy when Vera’s son Patsy was fatally injured in a road accident in 1979, while Patsy’s brother, Francis suffered a fatal heart attack in 1998, before a road accident claimed the life of another sibling, Kenneth in 2001.
To compound Vera’s deep sorrow, her husband Freddy died in 1990, but she bravely and faithfully soldiered on for the sake of her family, particularly her son Harry who lived with her, and to whom she was totally devoted.
Vera’s one social outlet outside her home and family was bingo. But she was happiest, among her family, enjoying special social occasions and enjoyed holiday breaks away with Harry.
The family had a new home built following the fire, and Vera worked in the kitchen for a number of years in the evenings in Bellingham Castle Hotel, cycling from Braganstown.
After the death of her husband, Freddy, Vera moved to Darver to be near her daughter, Mary
Twelve years ago she moved to Kilsaran, and remained active and busy looking after the family and extended family, until the day before her death which was the same date on which her father Owen had died. She had woken up with a pain and was taken into hospital.
Vera had had her bread and cakes baked for the week-end, so the suddenness of her passing was devastating for her family, and while they are left with nothing but happy memories, she is irreplaceable.
Vera is sadly missed by daughters, Mary, Veronica and Elizabeth, sons, Michael (Mixer) Louth, Harry and Martin, sister Lilly (Dunne), Kilsaran, sons-in-law, 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
She reposed at her home on the Tuesday and Wednesday and was removed on Thursday to St. Mary’s Church, Kilsaran. Father Derek O’Connell, Drumcar, celebrated Requiem Mass and gave a lovely eulogy.
The gifts representing her life were taken to the altar by her great- grandchildren, while the Offertory gifts were presented by her sister, Lilly and very close friend, Mary Sweeney.