May Sinnott was a true lady and one of life’s characters
PEOPLE throughout the Rosslare Harbour area were saddened recently to learn of the passing of Mary (May) Sinnott, Ascal Ruain, Rosslare Harbour.
May passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, following an illness that she bore with great dignity.
One of life’s characters she was blessed with a great sense of humour and always had a hearty smile and welcome for relatives and friends.
May was born in Assagart, Foulksmills, and she worked hard all her life.
Unfortunately, she lost her husband, Tommy, when she was still a young woman but she devoted her life to rearing their children and grandchildren.
She lived for her family and loved spending time with them.
Passionate about her garden she was blessed with the green fingered touch and was renowned for her ability to grow anything. She had many interests and in particular loved her telly bingo and when that was on the TV there was to be no interruptions.
As one close family member said: ‘When you rang and that was on you were in trouble.’
May loved her independence and in particular she loved driving around in her little car.
Her grandchildren fondly referred to her as ‘supergran’ as she whizzed around going about her business.
They loved getting in the car with her and often said she drove like a rally driver!
However, it was all in jest and they would fight over who got to travel in the front with her.
One of the most amiable, friendly and down-to-earth people anyone could meet May would lend a hand to anyone in need and was always willing to help friend, neighbours and relatives whenever help was required.
She was also passionate about animals. Some people are blessed with the infectious type of personality that means they immediately endear themselves to those around them and May Sinnott was one such person.
If ever there was a person who loved the craic and lived life to the full it was her.
She was the life and soul of the party; she loved the Rasberry Jam song which contains the fitting words: ‘Give me a little bit more, it will never be forgotten’.
As one family member said: ‘The craic will never the same without May’.
Renowned for her sayings [‘give the woman in the bed more porter’] her enthusiasm for life and brilliant sense of humour were extremely infectious.
There are people who live life and those who believe life is for living and May was definitely in the latter category.
She loved the local sessions in the Railway Club and that was something she liked going to from the days when she used to attend the sessions in the local bar in Kilrane with her husband Tommy.
On one occasion they were travelling home on the motorbike from a session, and when Tommy got back he realised May wasn’t on the back of the bike anymore.
He went back to look for her and found her in the ditch, thankfully uninjured.
May loved going to Johnstown Castle and she always availed of the opportunity to bring home a slip of a flower which she would then grow successfully at home.
She was also renowned for her photography skills and there were few places she went that the camera wasn’t in her hand so she could grab a quick snap or two.
May was an absolute lady and visitors to her home were always afforded the warmest of welcomes and made feel completely at home.
Her passing has left a huge void in the lives of her family, friends and neighbours.
The regard in which she and her family were held was highlighted by the show of support given to the family following her passing and also at her requiem mass which was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Rosslare Harbour.
May’s remains were laid to rest following the mass in St Aidan’s Cemetery, Kilrane.
She is survived by her sons, Toss and Philip, daughter, Geraldine, son-in-law, Gerard, daughters-in-law, Alice and Kathleen, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and very large circle of friends.
May was pre-deceased by her husband, Tommy, and son, Noel.