The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
MARGARET CELEBRATES HER 100TH BIRTHDAY... AT A SAFE DISTANCE!
TO have one parent reach 100 years of age is extraordinary but to have two parents break that century barrier is just on a whole other level.
It was only a few years ago that Patricia Neenan and her family gathered together for her father John’s - who passed away at the age of 102 - big centenary and this past weekend, Patricia and co were back together again to help celebrate another 100th birthday - this time that of their mother, Margaret.
Born on April 1, 1920, Margaret joined a very select group of people last Wednesday and while she could not be surrounded by her family as much as she would have liked on the day, that did not stop her kids and grandkids from marking the occasion.
She was inundated with messages and phonecalls from well-wishers and she took the time to speak to all of them and of course, she was over the moon to receive a very special letter from President Michael D Higgins marking her milestone birthday.
Additionally, Fr Pat O’Donnell a cousin of Margaret’s said a beautiful mass in his parish of Rathmore to celebrate her big day and she tuned in “on line”. A mass was also celebrated for her by Fr Bernard Healy in Rome.
Margaret has lived quite a life in her 100 years and can boast of many achievements, none more so than her three children - Gerard, Marie and Patricia. Additionally, she now has five grandchildren in the form of Mairead, Ciara, Greta, Eimear and John and even two great grandchildren, Ruby and Bronagh.
Margaret was educated at Listellick National School and St Johns Secondary School, Baloonagh, Tralee. She then went to the Central Technical School in Moyderwell, Tralee where she completed a commercial course.
She worked for Kerry County Council at the Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny Street, Tralee from October 1940 until February 1958 when she got married. At that time it was compulsory for a woman to resign from work upon marriage.
With her late husband John, the couple settled down in Laccamore, Abbeydorney where Margaret still resides today.
Another of her achievements includes having the privilege of launching the 150 year celebration book for Listellick National School, in October 2014 being one of the oldest surviving past pupils at the time.
Her late husband John had a similar privilege by being the oldest surviving past pupil of St Teresa’s National School, Kilflynn for its 100 year celebration in June 2012.
On her secret for a long and healthy life, Margaret never smoked or drank and always kept busy and active. She enjoys gardening, walking, did dressmaking for her family when they were young and was a good cook and baker.
She is well known to family and friends for her lovely brown bread and jams and she still enjoys word searches, reading the papers and keeping up with all the news and the political affairs of the nation.
In her younger days, she worked as Polling Clerk at the elections for many years and enjoyed meeting people; she always had a great connection with her relations and is great for tracing back the generations.
Finally, Margaret has a message for everyone - both young and old - during the current global pandemic - please abide by the HSE guidelines and practice safe social distancing because the sooner we do this, the sooner that life can return to normal for everyone.