A woman of strong faith who enjoyed the simpler things
Elizabeth (Lily) Fitzgerald, (nee Cross) Slahig, Waterville, passed away after a short illness on 13 March 2020 in UHK.
Lily was born on the 24 June 1943 to the late John and Molly Cross. They lived in Beenbane, surrounded by wonderful neighbours whom Lily often spoke fondly of. She was predeceased by her only brother John. Lily worked in Waterville in the Butler Arms Hotel, and was very proud to have met Charlie Chaplin during the course of her work there, and also in the Bayview Hotel. She also had many fond memories of her time working for the Great Southern Hotel in Bundoran and in Sligo.
It was in Waterville that Lily met her beloved husband, Pate, where they enjoyed many a dance, and they married in 1967. They were blessed with 10 children, seven sons and three daughters. Lily was an extremely caring mother and wife, and was proud of her 11 doting grandchildren, whom she loved to spoil, and never missed a family birthday; there was always a cake no matter how old you got. She loved visitors and was once compared to Mrs Doyle (Father Ted), as she would insist on visitors having food and drink despite their protests.
Lily enjoyed the simple things in life; her family, her home, watching her flowers grow, reading, watching her soaps, listening to Radio Kerry and days out to regattas and shopping. She was also a woman of strong faith.
In September 2010 she suffered multi-organ failure and many other complications; she spent 10 months in hospital and was a living miracle. She was left confined to a wheelchair but being the determined, strong willed, positive person she was, she never let her situation stop her from enjoying life. No matter what was going on in the world she always had time for a chat and a laugh.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support and kindness we have received at this difficult time and also since Lily’s illness in 2010.
Sadly missed by her husband Pate, children Maurice, John, Pat, Nicholas, Mark, Aoife, Lisa, Damien, Paul and Niamh, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.