Christina was a woman of strong faith who was devoted to family
Mrs. Christina (Chris) Fitzharris of Boley, Ballycullane, New Ross who peacefully passed away recently, was a strong and caring woman who lived for her family, her faith and her friends. Christina (nee Hennessy) died gently at her home surrounded by her loving children on October 3, just moments after they had returned from 9.30am mass in Ballycullane Church which she regularly attended and was specially offered for her that day.
She was 87 years old and was pre-deceased by her beloved husband Laurence, who passed away in 2012. She is survived by her 17 children, John, Joan, Willie, Marian, Kevin, Larry, Seamie, Tommy, Nora, Kathleen, Pat, Teresa, Tony, Ann, Norman, Brian and Aileen, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughters in law, sons in law, niece and nephew, cousins, friends and neighbours. Christina was a daughter of Jack and Margaret Hennessy of Clonmines and grew up with her siblings Jim and Peggy who predeceased her in recent years and her brother Tommy who died in infancy and also her twin cousins Tom the late John Kehoe who were lovingly raised with Christina and her siblings when their own mother passed away. Christina worked as a cook up to the time of her marriage in 1950 when she and Lar settled in his home place in Boley. Lar was a well known member of Fine Gael, an interest that he passed on to his son Cllr.Willie Fitzharrris. Christina was a cherished mother to all of her children and later in life became known as Nanny Boley to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom she was devoted , always keeping up to date with their lives and lending a loving ear and a shoulder to cry on. Christina showed her love and devotion to Our Lady by visiting Lourdes for over 35 years, and nearer to home Our Lady’s Island, Lough Derg, and Knock. She enjoyed the social as well as the religious aspects of the pilgrimages. She made her final pilgrimage to Lourdes in May and to Our Lady’s Island in September of this year. Christina always lit the blessed candle for everyone’s intentions, starting off by lighting one candle for who ever needed it and as her family grew the blessed candle became an eternal flame for all of them. Her faith never wavered even after losing her loving husband and three of her grandchildren. She worked hard during her lifetime as a homemaker, on the farm and caring for her elderly relatives. She was also well known for her brown bread and apple and blackberry tarts. She won a Cadburys ‘Mother of the Month’ award to the delight of herself and her family.
One of her interests was Bingo which she attended regularly at various venues and enjoyed catching up with friends. Her favour mode of transport was her bicycle which she always used to travel to Clongeen Church to attend her weekly adoration hour from 2am to 3am and always with a few children in tow. She enjoyed many holidays with her husband Lar around Ireland and to the US to visit 3 of their children who resided there over the years.
A large crowd gathered for her wake at her home in Boley and at her funeral mass in Ballycullane including the Commandant to the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to pay their respects to a wonderful woman who will be deeply missed by her heartbroken family. Christina had a big heart with room in it for everyone. She will be remembered for her lovely smile that lit up her face.The months mind mass will take place in St Martin’s Church, Ballycullane on Saturday the 4th of November at 7.30pm.