The Late Mary Sugrue – a keen gardener with roguish craic who loved to chat

THE death at St Anne’s Hospital, Cahirsiveen on Sunday March 19, after a long illness, occurred of (Bridget) Mary Sugrue (nee Bolster) of Reenglass House, Valentia Island.

Born on January 13, 1930, she was originally of Listowel. As a young woman she worked in Northern Ireland and subsequently went to London to work as a nurse

Here, she met Valentia Islander Brendan (Brendie) Sugrue, who was a seafaring trainee Radio Officer. They were married on February 26, 1955. Brendie subsequently took employment at the Valentia Coastguard Radio Station being appointed as its Officer in Charge in 1968 up to his retirement.

He was the first Valentia Islander to hold such a position. They originally lived at 3 Peter St., Knightstown, and later moved permanently to Reenglass House.

Requiem mass was celebrated on Thursday, March 23, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Knightsown by Fr Martin Sheehan, PP of Caherdaniel. A eulogy was given by her son John with a main reading by her daughter Deirdre and contributions also from her large family unit.

Singing was performed by the Valentia Choir accompanied also by clarinet music by her nephew Stephen Mackey

She was laid to rest in Kilmore Graveyard.

Mary Sugrue, a very keen gardener who was also an avid reader loved a chat and a bit of roguish crack. She and her late husband Brendie were always a pleasure to meet with on the Knightstown social scene. They were the good old stock of ‘ The Foot’.

Sincere sympathy is offered to her sons John, Damian, Brendan, Kieran, Justin and Brian, daughters Helena and Deirdre, grandchildren, sister Teresa, daughters-in-law, son in-law, brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Footnote: Mary and Brendie Sugrue were very sadly pre- deceased by their daughter Mary Anne, who passed away in 1996.