Florencewasahardworkingwoman withamazingfamilyvalues

FLORENCE (Florrie) Margaret Rafferty passed away peacefully in her home, Ballagan, Greenore, on 28 August 2017, aged 93.

From a family of seven sisters, and a brother who died young, Florrie was born on 3 March, 1924, to parents William Hagan and Bridget Hanlon in Ballinamara.

Growing up in Ballinamara, Florrie went to school in Grange National School.

In 1945, she married Nicholas Rafferty, and moved the short distance to Ballagan.

A wonderful mother to 15 children, two of whom died in infancy, Florrie was always a family woman. She worked tirelessly to ensure that her children never wanted for anything.

Always known in the family home for her baking, the aroma of fresh homemade bread was in the air every morning, while Florrie regularly had a knitting needle in her hand.

When her family was reared, she went on to work in Ecco in her later years.

A grandmother to 49, and great grandmother to forty-six, Florrie was loved by all those around her and all those whose lives she touched.

She loved to play bingo, and was known as an avid card player, a deck of cards was never too far away from the kitchen table.

A very humorous lady and a great lover of life, you were always guaranteed to be greeted with a smile or a laugh.

Florrie was looked after and cared for lovingly in her home over the last few years by her son Paul, who lived with her all his live.

The immediate and extended family would like to mention him especially and express their genuine and heartfelt thanks to him for this. They could not have asked for a better brother or carer for their mother.

Florrie lived a very long and full life and passed away comfortably in her own home where she was being cared for by all her family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Nicholas in 1984; and by her daughter, Aileen in 2016.

She is survived by her sons, Nicholas, Declan, Dominic, Joe, Eugene, Ollie, Michael and Paul; and her daughters, Beda, Margaret, Ann and Rachael, their partners, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Florrie will be eternally loved and missed by her surviving family and friends.

May she rest in peace.

After reposing at home, her remains were removed to the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Boher, for the funeral Mass, celebrated by Fr. McElwee.

Burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

The Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated in the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Boher, on Saturday 30 September, 2017 at 7pm.

The late Florence Rafferty.