A kind and gentle mother with a warm welcome

THE Late Annie O’Hanlon

ANNIE O’ Hanlon (nee Heffernan), late of Tarmons and 12 St Patrick’s Terrace, Tarbert, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May 31 surrounded by her family. Sadly, Annie is predeceased by her husband Tom, sons Mike and Thomas and daughter Margaret (Costelloe).

Annie, was born on the 21st September 1926, the third eldest of a family of eight children to Jack and Ellen Heffernan (nee O’ Connor). She grew up in a thatched cottage in Tarmons where she had a blissful childhood with her brothers Paddy, Tommy, Jerry, John Joe, Mossie and her sisters Mary and Peggy. On several occasions Annie recounted her happy memories of this time in Tarmons. She attended Tarmons National School where her lessons in the Irish language instilled a love that would last throughout her life. She subsequently completed a Diploma in Baking which her family would happily benefit from years later.

Annie worked hard to provide for her family and it was whilst working in Tarbert that she met Tom O’Hanlon, of Loughill, Limerick, and fell instantly in love.

Their’s was a love story that would endure for 41 years, where their adoration of each other was instantly evident to all who met them even at this early stage. As a young couple, Tom would take his sweetheart Annie on the bar of his bicycle to the crossroads dancing at Tarbert and Glin.

Annie and Tom married, and went on to have 10 children; seven boys, John, Mike, Paddy, Joe, Derry, Thomas and Eamon and three girls, Eileen, Margaret and Ann Marie. Annie and Tom established their long-term family home in Tarbert where Annie was utterly devoted to her family. Her children and grandchildren, and indeed in later years, her great-grandchildren were the main source of her joy.

She was never happier than when her home was full of family and friends. Annie was the ultimate hostess and each Sunday she would have several members of the family for a Sunday roast where she would cook a three course meal for up to thirty people. A number of her grandchildren would eagerly move into Annie’s home during Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays where they enjoyed being spoilt by their Nan.

Annie’s daily routine began each morning at 6am when she would light the range and bake her daily array of delicious breads, scones, apple pies and currant-cakes. This would be followed by her daily trip “up town” to Kelleher’s Spar where she enjoyed a light-hearted chat with one-and-all. Her friendship with the Kellehers was to endure after she became housebound, with Pat continuing to visit her each Christmas Eve with chocolates and flowers.

Annie’s religious devotion could also be seen in her daily routine by the prominent position of her treasured rosary beads which hung from her dresser. Several rosaries would be said each morning by Annie for the various members of her family.

Annie’s commitment to her family was indeed a significant feature of her life. This was especially evident in her regular trips to London where she visited her son Joe and family for christenings, holy communions and confirmations. She also travelled to Birmingham to her brother Tommy and family, where she marked a christening, a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and sadly the funeral of her beloved brother. In fact, no family occasion was missed by Annie despite having twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Annie was an accomplished sewer, embroider and knitter. She was especially skilful in the Aran stitch and went on to knit stunning outfits for her children and grandchildren. She also proudly passed on these precious skills to her family.

Annie was immensely house-proud and its redecoration would take place at least once a year. Her love of planting flowers was evident from her colourful window boxes and hanging baskets which greeted visitors to her beautiful home. Indeed, no Saturday shopping day would be complete unless she returned home with several potted plants.

A genuine heartfelt welcome greeted every visitor to Annie’s home. Whether a close family member or an utter stranger, all were welcomed at the door with the same rapturous hug and heartfelt kiss. The visitor would be treated to delicious home cooking, heartfelt conversation and went away feeling as if they were a treasured member of the family. Her kindness to all has been an inspiration to the many lives she touched.

Annie’s last outing was aged eighty-seven to the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum and the following day she was taken to hospital. For three years she remained house-bound where she received devoted care at home from her children Eamon and Eileen, and her son-in-law Jimmy. She died at home peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

On the day of her funeral, Annie was shouldered by her sons, grandchildren and friends from the grotto in Tarbert to St Mary’s Church where her funeral service took place. Annie is sadly missed by her sons, daughters, brother, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sistersin-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnephews, grandnieces, cousins, relatives and friends.

Rest in Peace Annie.

The Late Annie O’Hanlon