Much-loved Mary Ann Lane has passed, weeks after 100th birthday
A MUCH-LOVED Ballydesmond woman who celebrated her 100th birthday with a big family party just weeks ago passed away this week.
Mary Ann Lane passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, having celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at her home in Ballydesmond on December 23. On her birthday she 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 Gloun-tanefinnane 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.
On her recent birthday, which came just as the festive season was taking off, 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 also recalled 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.
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 felt contributed to her robust health at the great age of 100.
Meanwhile, 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.
After reposing at Tarrant’s Funeral Home, Ballydesmond, Mary Ann’s removal took place to St. Patrick’s Church, Ballydesmond on Wednesday evening. Requiem Mass is today (Thursday, January 19) at 12 noon, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
MARY ANN NEVER DRANK ALCOHOL OR SMOKED - FACTORS SHE FELT CONTRIBUTED TO HER ROBUST HEALTH AT THE AGE OF 100