The memories that Geraldine O’Sullivan made will never fade
GERALDINE O’Sullivan passed away peacefully in the early hours of June 25, 2019, surrounded by her loving husband, Joe Joe, and close family members.
Geraldine was born, the second daughter of Olive and Jeremiah O’Gorman, in November 1948.
She was the beloved younger sister of the late Breeda Coghlan. Geraldine’s father pre- deceased her birth, and she was brought up in Boherbee, Tralee, by her mother, Olive. She attended Presentation Covent, Tralee, and on completing her education there, she commenced employment in the ‘ Boot Factory’ in Tralee. She was there for many years and after her own mother passed away; she took on the job her mother had held before her in the Revenue Office in the town.
It was during her exploits as a basketball player that she met Joe Joe O’Sullivan. The couple became inseparable and married in 1974, having their wedding reception in the Earl of Desmond Hotel. Thus began a marriage of almost 45 years spent living in Ballinorig Close. Geraldine and Joe Joe sang together – just like they did everything else together.
Geraldine was especially close to her nieces and nephews, Mary, Peter, Anne, John and Denise – the daughters and sons of her late sister, Breeda ( her ‘ Dublin’ family).
In later years, the arrival of grand- nephews and nieces – Darragh, Lauren, Eden and Cian brought her great joy. Her generosity and kindness to those she loved was unstinting.
Geraldine was a Minister for the Eucharist for 12 years in St John’s Church – an example of how her faith was important to her throughout her life. She will be remembered for her great style and taste and was always impeccable in her appearance at any event. She loved a game of cards and she embarked upon many pursuits and adventures during her life. She spent many hours reading – Danielle Steele and Meave Binchy were two of her favourites. She enjoyed travelling and had a special love for Spain and the sunshine.
After feeling unwell for some time, Geraldine was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2018. This was a devastating blow at the young age of 69. However, her strength and courage in the nine months that followed were inspirational.
She maintained a positive outlook and on even the worst days, she would tell you that she was feeling good.
She celebrated her 70th birthday in November 2018 with a family weekend in Killarney which was attended by Joe Joe and all her nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. The challenges she faced in the months that followed were enormous and she survived two serious hospital admissions.
In the final weeks before her death, she travelled to Dublin one last time to visit her Dublin family and also attended the first communion of a close family friend. When the passing of her last days became inevitable, she decided to move to the Palliative Care Unit in University Hospital Kerry.
Despite her fragility and suffering, she walked one last time to the car for the short journey. She died peacefully a short number of days later.
She is survived by her husband Joe Joe; brother- in- law, Denis; her nieces; nephews; and grandnieces and grandnephews.