A selfess nurterer and avid story teller
THE passing of my aunt Mary Mc Stay nee Casey has left a void in the hearts of all who loved her.
In her 100th year surrounded by her loving children- John, Margaret, Tim and Maria, her daughter’s in law Clodagh and Maeve, Maria’s partner Peter, grandchildren and great grandchildren Mary went peacefully to her just reward in eternity.
Mary was the daughter of Tim and Margaret Casey, she had one sister- Bridie- and one brother Mossie and they lived happily for some years in Mangerton View, Killarney.
When Mary’s father died prematurely the family moved to the countryside - a place called Glounonea at the top of a very steep hill. They lived there with Uncle Willie and Auntie Katie.
They attended Tiernaboul National School taking the arduous walk every day across the fields in all weathers.
After Willie’s passing, the farm was taken over by Mossie. When Mary was of age she left for Monaghan to train as a National School Teacher. When she qualified she went to work and live in Dublin. It was there she met the handsome dashing Mick Mc Stay. Ultimately they married, had four children and spent the better part of their life in a house named ‘Kilkerry’ on Sandyford Road.
As a child I spent many happy magical summers in that grand ivy covered house.
In my eyes ‘Auntie Mary’ was a larger than life figure, an avid storyteller, a nurturer, full of love for everyone but most of all a totally selfless human being.
Auntie Mary and Mick also owned a holiday home in Whitegate Co. Cork. My siblings and I had the pleasure of spending many sun soaked fun filled holidays in that quiet secluded spot overlooking the sea.Oh! what happy times picnicking on ‘ White Bay’ beach by day and going to the ceili in Trabolgan on the weekend nights.
My aunt a truly remarkable lady was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. Her helping hand and stalwart spirit were present for me at various times throughout my life. I thank her for all those times.
She was highly skilled at doing crosswords, she would finish a crossword in record time. She was also a great woman to make a pot of tea. I recall one time my father was expecting her for a visit. I was sitting at the table with him having a chat. Then he asked me a question which was unrelated to our conversation. He asked ‘ have we enough tea ? ‘ We have’ I replied. ‘ Why’? With his head in his hands he said ‘ Oh God bless us sure Mary never stops making tea !
‘Keep the kettle on Mary’ !
Rest well Auntie Mary.
The following words by the poet Lord Byron describe for me the lady that was Mary Mc Stay. ‘One who possessed beauty without vanity Strength without insolence
Courage without ferocity
And all the virtues of man without his vices.