SHEILA FITZGERALD ‘Always in top form’ Mary hits the 100 year mark with a proper party
Always seeing the glass half full as opposed to half empty, and maintaining a positive attitude, were among Mary O’Brien’s tried and trusted recipes for reaching the great age of 100 on September 2.
Mary now lives with her daughter, Mary, and son in law, Paddy, in Coachford but was born in Dromina in 1918.
Following her marriage, she and her husband, Denis, lived in Freemount, where they raised six children. Mary’s son, Jack, told The Corkman how his mother enjoyed a long, healthy life and worked hard.
“They had no running water and no indoor toilet, and she had to draw water from a well three fields away. They walked to Mass and had to walk everywhere,” he said.
Mary had great faith, and the holy water and her Rosary beads were always close at hand, she loved knitting and was a great woman for baking.
Nowadays, Mary still enjoys perfect health, and she is very well looked after by her daughters, Mary and Nancy, and son in law Paddy. She enjoys heading out for a spin in the car, and can still read the paper without using glasses.
Described as “always being in top form” Mary loves to have people in for a cuppa and a chat, and she enjoys listening to her favourite programmes on the radio.
She had a great day at her 100th birthday party in the midst of her children, 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. There was music galore and to top off the momentous occasion Mary gave a rousing rendition of ‘Show Me The Way To Go Home’.