Fortified by religious conviction Bridie had a deeply maternal and caring nature
BRIDIE Shields, Irish Grange, Carlingford, who died on 25 February, 2018, was a lady whose life revolved lovingly around her family and home.
She was of a deeply maternal and caring nature, and after marrying proved a natural wife and mother who, at the age of 40, was faced with the overwhelming prospect of providing for her seven children, following the death of her husband Mick.
In times of sadness and distress, she never complained and in a simple and contented way, fortified by a strong religious conviction got on with life at every station and made the best of it.
The most important thing to her was her children, keeping them nourished in a warm, loving, caring home, where she provided all she could for them under the pressures of being a young widow.
Bridie loved to be surrounded by her family, and after her children had married and began families of their own, she became a big and integral part of the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandson when they came along.
She looked forward to and cherished their visits and was ever-ready whenever she got a call from a family member to undertake a journey, long or short.
She was blessed with good health for most of her life but unfortunately her final years were blighted by ill health.
Her family cared for Bridie within homely surroundings for as long as they could, but then she needed fulltime residential care and she and her family were fortunate she received wonderful attention in Blackrock Abbey Nursing Home where she passed away peacefully.
The bedrock of her life was her religion which helped Bridie through tough times. She had great faith, with Mass a weekly part of life, and then in later years when she had more time she attended daily and held a deep regard for Saint Anthony.
Bridie was the eldest of three children of the late Michael and Mary Boyle, both of Irish Grange, who had another daughter, Kathleen and one son, Michael. Her siblings survive her.
She was predeceased by her son, Kevin; husband, Mick; and her parents, Michael and Mary.
She is very sadly missed by her sons, Thomas, Michael, Paddy; daughters, Rosemary, Bridie, Catherine; sons-in- law, Dermot, Pat and Frank; daughters-in-law, Mary and Antoinette; along with her grandchildren, Adrian, Ciara, Elaine, Laura, Maria, Thomas, Kevin and Ciaran, Niall and Ailish; great-grandson, Jayden; brother, Michael and sister, Kathleen.
After reposing at daughter Rosemary Neasy’s home, Station Road, Castlebellingham, on the Monday, Bridie was removed to Saint James’ Church, Grange the next day.
Requiem Mass was celebrated by Father Padraig Keenan PP, Haggardstown and Blackrock, assisted by Father Malachy Conlon PP, Cooley. Father Keenan delivered the eulogy and shared a reflection after Holy Communion.
The Readings were given by grandchildren, Adrian and Elaine; while the Prayers of the Faithful were led by son, Thomas; and grandchildren, Niall, Ciaran, Ailish, Thomas and Kevin.
Daughter, Bridie; grand-daughter, Ciara and great-grandson, Jayden took part in the offertory procession.
The beautiful music was provided by Brendan and Sarah McCourt.
Burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.