The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Mary died just short of her 100th birthday
MARY Cremin was to celebrate on January 16, 2020, her 100th birthday. This was an occasion she had greatly anticipated and had looked forward to celebrating with her extended family and friends but, alas, due to suffering a stroke at her home six days previously, this was not the case despite the efforts of the ambulance crew, the air ambulance crew and staff at the Stroke Unit at Kerry General Hospital.
Mary was born to her parents, Julia and Andrew Cremin, in Meeligoleen, Ballinskelligs, on January 16, 1920. She was the third-eldest of a family of eight. Six of her siblings had predeceased her, except her two younger sisters, Tessie Cremin, aged 98, now a resident of Valentia Island Community Hospital; and the youngest member of the family, her sister, Katie O’Connell, aged 91, who resides at home in Meeligoleen, Ballinskelligs.
Having helped her siblings on the small family farm until the aged of 28, Mary and her older brother, John, decided to seek better employment in the United States. In 1948, it was not easy to gain entry to the United States. One needed sponsorship, and Mary and John were lucky to have two aunts in Boston who provided this opportunity to them. New York was to be their home for 40 years, and then both returned to their native home in Ballinskelligs. Initially, having emigrated to New York, Mary found it hard to settle in her new-found life. A younger brother, Bobby, emigrated to New York in 1956 and joined Mary and John, and this made life easier for her. Bobby married and Mary was the best aunt to her nieces and nephews in New York. Katie was the only other member of the family to marry.
Mary found employment in various positions, but it was her role as Head Supervisor at St Louis Nursing Home, Manhattan for over 35 years that she enjoyed most. She took pride in her work, was precise, punctual and totally organised. These were traits she held until her final day. When visiting Mary at home, it was often remarked how organised she was, having her little office in front of her with telephone, biros and all relevant phone numbers. In latter years, her telephone became almost an extension of her right hand, speaking to her sister, Katie, several times a day and keeping in touch with family and friends.
Throughout her 40 years in the USA, Mary made the annual visit home on her vacation. She never arrived without bringing presents for her family and especially her nieces and nephews in Ballinskelligs. Her annual trip home was the highlight of the summer holidays both for her and for the family at home. When she returned to the USA, within a few months a parcel would follow to the family at home and to her four young nieces and nephews.
The ‘parcel from America’ was most exciting, and nobody was left disappointed as the large cardboard box had something for everybody. Mary never forgot the birthdays of her nieces and nephews on both sides of the Atlantic.
After her retirement to Ireland in 1987, Mary enjoyed life with her siblings once again, visiting her neighbours, walking her dog, going to the beach, socialising, and visiting the weekly events at the Ballinskelligs Community Centre.
Having lived through remarkable times in the history of Ireland and the world, she witnessed remarkable changes in lifestyles and technological developments, things which were unimaginable at the time of her birth in 1920.
In recent years, Mary witnessed remarkable changes in her local community and often reminisced of times gone by. But she kept an open mind and embraced all these wonderful changes. She was a woman known to express her opinion and was a straight talker.
She had her ups and downs in life and did suffer deep sadness in New York prior to her retirement when her nephew was killed tragically in a road accident not far from where she lived. She never forgot that day.
Mary was a stoic and resilient woman. She was optimistic in her attitude and looked on the bright side of life.
A woman of strong faith, Mary never failed to say her daily Rosary and was the proud owner of several designs of Rosary Beads. Mary explained to Joe McGill, ‘In Conversation with Joe’ on Radio Kerry recently that reciting the Rosary was a practice she had developed since childhood.
She never missed Mass until she became infirm but received The Eucharist weekly and looked forward with reverence to Fr Patsy Lynch on his First Friday visits.
Mary was lucky to be able to spend her life in her own home. This would not have been possible without the help of family and carers and one carer in particular, a wonderful lady, Mary Cronin, who was carer to the Cremin family for 15 years.
A wonderful sister and aunt whose generosity knew no bounds, her wisdom, her memory, her conversations will be remembered by many. There was no generation gap where Mary was concerned, and she could converse with all ages.
Mary had a very large Wake and Funeral, and the family wish to express their gratitude to everybody who attended. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.