Mary Ann (100) shares her secrets of longevity
A BALLYDESMOND woman who has enjoyed good health all her life, put her longevity down to hard work as she marked her 100th birthday last Friday.
Mary Ann Lane said with a smile that she was delighted to “make the 100th”. Mary Ann (Sheehan), who was born on December 23, 1916, just crossed the ditch to Glountane finnane to marry Tim Lane in 1945.
When asked what was her secret, she said her work on the farm entailed “hard work and plenty of it” and she never drank or smoked, which she believes has contributed to her long-life and robust health. For her big birthday, she was surrounded by her four sons along with numerous family members and friends.
MARY ANN LANE celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at her home in Ballydesmond on December 23.
This hale and hearty centenarian told The Corkman that she was really delighted to “make the 100th” and that she had enjoyed good health throughout her life.
Mary Ann Sheehan was born in the neighbouring townland of Cronrea in 1916. Her brother, Johnny, arrived in 1918, and the following year Mary’s father passed away, which would leave her mother a widow for the next 61 years.
In 1945, Mary Ann just crossed the ditch to Glountanefinnane to marry Tim Lane and they raised four sons, Darby, Eamonn, Timmie and Sean. Sean runs the family farm at home while his three brothers now reside in Cork.
Mary Ann recalled Christmas traditions when she was growing up in Cronrea. “Christmas was very quiet back then, it came and went with little fuss,” she said. “All we had from Santa were apples and oranges.”
Mary Ann remembers going to Mass in Kiskeam by donkey and car, and walking to Cronrea school, which was quite near the Sheehan family home. “We had to cross the River Araglen over stepping stones to go to school; it was very dangerous,” she recalled.
“Children from all over the locality came to school in Cronrea, even the children from Kiskeam because there was no school in the village at that time,” she said.
Mary Ann’s life on the farm entailed “hard work and plenty of it. The hay was all saved with the pike and we had weeks of backbreaking work in the bog every year”.
Mary Ann never drank alcohol or smoked - factors which she feels contributed to her robust health at the great age of 100.
Her sons, Darby, Eamonn, Timmie and Sean expressed their thanks to Mary Ann’s home help assistants; in particular Nora Ann Dunlea, who they described as “absolutely brilliant”.
In addition, they paid tribute to Dr Len Leader, who “couldn’t be better”, and to the local priests, Fr Joe Tarrant, Fr. Jim Kenneally and Fr Pat McCarthy, who “make Mary Ann’s day” when they call.
They also added their sincere thanks to the staff of Mallow hospital for their fantastic care and attention when Mary Ann spent a short time there recently.