‘Family was everything to Betty’

BETTY O’Connor, (nee Falvey) Lissereen, Abbeydorney, died peacefully on 13th October, 2016.

Betty was born on 7th January, 1933 to parents Michael and Catherine Falvey (nee McCarthy) at Garrynagore, Lixnaw, the youngest of six children; Mary, Bids, John, Kit, and Eily.

Mary, unfortunately, died at the young age of 28 when her child, Michael Fitzgerald, was only three years old. Mike then joined the family being raised by his grand-parents, as his dad worked in Co Kildare. Because of the closeness in age Mike and Betty grew up like brother and sister rather than aunt and nephew. Betty was the last surviving member of the Falvey family, may they rest in peace.

Betty attended Kilflynn National School. In 1945, the family moved to live in a farm at Mortara, Ballymacelligott. She then attended Clogher NS and later Moyderwell Secondary School where she made some life long friends. Betty was an extremely hard worker on the farm. The family returned to Garrynagore in 1958.

Betty met the love of her life Denis at a dance in Lixnaw and they married on 27th June, 1961 and enjoyed 55 years of happy marriage. They had 4 children, John, Catherine, Michael and Áine. Family was everything to Betty and she was a great home-maker and later got immense joy from her grand-children.

She loved to go out for meals to celebrate all the family occasions.

Betty loved to work with her hands, she enjoyed knitting, baking, arts and crafts, painting and decorating. She knit many an item for family and many aran garments for sale.

Betty made fabulous bread and her apple tarts were highly commended. Betty also loved dogs and bred Yorkshire Terriers for sale. Betty loved her fashion and enjoyed her trips to Limerick and Cork in search of an outfit.

Betty was very religious and when Denis retired they attended daily Mass in the Dominican Church. She also had great devotion to St Martha and lit a candle every Tuesday night to the Saint and prayed for various petitions. Denis and Betty travelled many places together, including England, Lourdes, Fatima, Medjugorje, the Holy Land and parts of America.

Betty had a big heart and was extremely generous by nature.

She was very sincere and always spoke frankly. Betty and Denis helped to raise three of their grand-children, caring for the two eldest after school on a regular basis.

Betty did not enjoy good health in later life and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a few years ago.

She was cared for at home, with the help of a brillant homehelp, until it became too difficult and in December 2015 was admitted to the Ardagh Ward, KUH, where the care and dedication shown by the staff there was immeasurable.

In March 2016 Betty transferred to Oaklands Nursing Home in Listowel and in May moved to the Community Hospital in Tralee where she received excellent care.

Her family are deeply indebted to the Health Care Workers in both homes.

Betty is survived by her husband Denis, her four children, daughters-in-law, sonin-law and her nine adored grand-children, - Denis and his wife Britain (Chicago); Alison (Abbeydorney) Ciara and Jack (Co. Clare) and Denis, Marguerite, Lisa, Caitlin and Thomas (Duagh).

She is also survived by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, relatives and friends.

A loving wife, mother and grandmother has gone but her memory will live on. She is and will continue to be deeply missed. May she Rest in Peace.

Betty’s months mind Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 12th at 11 a.m. in Abbeydorney.

Betty O’Connor