Lily travelled and loved her home life, family and friends
Mary Elizabeth McArdle, known as Lily, passed away peacefully on 7 April 2020, just weeks before her 90th birthday, in the wonderful care of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
Lily, the eldest of eight, was born on 8 June 1930 in Churchill, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
She was predeceased by her sister, Dora Kelly and brother, Oliver Maguire. She is survived by her sisters, Margaret Quinn, Bridget Connolly and Philomena Loughman and brothers, Eamonn and John Maguire.
Lily moved to work in Dundalk in the late 1940’s and met and later married her first husband, Tom O’Hare in 1953.
They lived in Donaghamore, Kilkerley and had three children, Thomas, Kevin and Loretto. Lily and Tom were married for 31 years until Tom’s untimely passing at the age of 60 in 1984.
Lily was blessed to meet and later marry John (Johnny) McArdle from Benagh, Riverstown, in 1987 and so began another chapter in her life.
Lily and Johnny lived happily in Benagh until 2008 when due to failing health and mobility issues, they had to move house and so took up residence in Clós na Manach, Carlingford where they lived until the passing of Johnny in 2012.
Lily made many friends while living in Benagh and Carlingford and had treasured memories of her time in both locations of which she often spoke fondly.
After Johnny’s passing in 2012, Lily lived with
The late Mary Elizabeth McArdle.
her daughter, Loretto and son-in-law, Aidan in Blackrock where she happily resided until November 2018 when a deterioration in her mobility meant that she had to take up residence in
Dealgan Nursing Home where she resided until her untimely passing.
Again, facing another new yet challenging stage in her life, she settled into the routine of the Home enjoying the daily banter with other residents and Care Assistants.
Lily took up Art classes with Carol Wallace which she loved and produced a number of fine paintings which formed part of the annual art exhibition.
Lily was always a hard-working woman but also loved to socialise and loved life. She liked nothing more than sitting down and having the craic with family, neighbours and friends.
She had a great memory and could recall stories and people long gone past.
In her more able days, Lily loved to tend to her garden - she absolutely loved flowers – and bake and was well known for her apple tarts and soda bread.
She loved to travel and holidayed in America, the UK and Spain. She particularly loved to visit Lourdes, a place that brought her great peace and which she visited 8 times in her life with Lordship Parish Pilgrimage group.
Lily loved listening to music and singing, and every Saturday morning the ritual without fail, was to put the Green Scene Show on the radio.
Another ritual each week was to get the Argus newspaper so that she could keep up to date on the local news.
Lily enjoyed her fashion and style and always made sure she took time with her appearance. Weekly shopping expeditions were made which as well as a purchase or two always ended with the inevitable cup of coffee and chat with her good friends Finola and Gerard.
Lily’s remains were removed from Quinn’s Funeral Home to St Mary’s Church, Lordship.
Due to social distancing measures, the small but very intimate funeral Mass which commenced with the song, ‘A Mother’s Love’s a Blessing’, was celebrated by Fr. Pádraig Keenan, PP Blackrock & Haggardstown Parish.
He also gave a very lovely and fitting eulogy while beautiful music and singing by Olive Curran added to the ceremony.
Symbols of life – her passport, the Argus newspaper, a silk scarf, and nail polish - were brought up by daughter, Loretto and friend, Fiona.
Readings were by grandson, John and granddaughter, Regina. Prayers of the faithful were read by granddaughter, Sheena and grandson, Tommy. A beautiful poem was read by son in law, Aidan.
Lily’s burial took place afterwards in Lordship cemetery.
Lily will be sadly missed but always loved by her sons, Tom and Kevin; daughter, Loretto; son in law, Aidan; daughter in law, Ann; grandchildren,
John, Regina, Vanessa, Sheena, Tommy, Darryl, Garion and Millie; great-grandchildren, Lauren, Ben, Enya, Niall, Lucy, Willow, Grace, Mary, Harley, Eleanor, Cooper, Archie, TJ, CJ, Bobby, Lily, Jordan; brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.