The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Family and faith meant everything to Peggy
MARGARET (Peggy) O’Donnell (nee Higgins) passed away peacefully on April 21 after a short illness, which she bore so bravely, in the care of the Palliative Care Unit, UHK, Tralee.
Peggy was born on June 9, 1927, to parents Margaret Higgins (nee O’Leary) and John Higgins at Ballyvelly House, Tralee.
Her father had farms in County Meath and Tralee and owned and ran a butcher shop in Tralee town. Peggy was one of six children, Thomas, Mena, Patrick, Jerome and Sean who all predeceased her.
She was educated at Presentation Primary and Secondary school, Tralee and later went to the College of Domestic Science in Navan.
Unfortunately, her education in Navan was cut short as her uncle, Fr Michael O’Leary who was P.P. in Salford, Manchester, became very ill and Peggy returned to Tralee to care for him. After his death, she was about to start work with the Bank of Ireland in Ennis but her own mother became seriously ill and she stayed at home to look after her.
She met and married James (Sonny) O’Donnell, a farmer from Ballyenaghty, The Kerries and they settled in Marian Hill, The Kerries, Tralee.
As they married in the Marian year in 1954, they called the house Marian Hill.
Her children James (who only lived for four days), Margot, Siobhan and John enjoyed their young lives on the farm. She was often seen walking the road with the pram, her children by her side and exercising a greyhound at the same time. Walking was a cure for all ills and she walked her way back to health throughout her life.
She was loved by her sisterin-law Rita and her nephews and nieces. Rita was her best friend and more like a sister to her. They would often sit and chat with a cup of tea or maybe a hot whiskey.
Peggy’s life was dedicated to her husband and family. She had a deep abiding love for them and later for her grandchildren, Siobhan, Olivia, James and Cathal and her great grandchildren Rian and Siún.
Peggy was always a very caring person and when her husband Sonny was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in later life, she looked after him at home for four years.
She took great pride in her house and garden. She enjoyed planting a variety of flowers which were all attended to with love and her green fingers.
In later years, Dave helped her to keep the garden always looking immaculate and there were others also who gave her great help in the house.
She also enjoyed reading and was a frequent visitor to the library. She was a great cook and meal times were always looked forward to, especially at Christmas time when she made her own Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings.
She went into town several times a week to attend mass in St John’s Church, light candles for all the family and then enjoy a cup of coffee in the Grand Hotel.
She looked forward to her weekly trip to Liz her hairdresser, who also did her hair any time she was in hospital.
Peggy had strong faith in God and it was this faith that helped her through many difficult times of illness in her life and also in the last few weeks.
When her husband Sonny died in 2008, she and her grand-daughter Siobhan went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, a trip she had often talked about doing.
Peggy was fortunate to remain in her home all her life and this was due to the support of her family and her wonderful home help Margaret and the Home Help team.
We grieve her passing but we have fond and golden memories that will remain with us and be cradled in our hearts forever.
May she rest in peace.