May enjoyed regular trips home
THE people who knew Mary May Farrelly (nee Cullen) during her life knew her as a loving family woman, farmer’s wife, neighbour, hard-working pharmacist, avid bridge player or as a Soroptomist member.
May, as she was known, was born on October 19, 1929 in Wicklow town, the eldest child of solicitor Agustus and Mary (Doll) Cullen of Wentworth Place. She was later joined by siblings Frances, Sheila, Laurence and Anne. It was a busy family with plenty of cousins and friends around and birthday parties, tennis, swimming and cycling were regular activities.
May attended primary school in Wicklow’s Dominican Convent before heading off to secondary school in Holy Faith, Glasnevin, and used to tell stories of her mother sending home-made goodies to the ‘starving’ boarders!
After school, May trained as a pharmacist, with her first apprenticeship being to Moran’s pharmacy in Bray, home of former Minster Gemma Hussey.
Whilst working in Bailieboro, Co Cavan, May met Paddy Farrelly from Kilmainhamwood, County Meath. The couple married in 1957 and had two children, Caroline and Ciaran. Paddy’s work took him to England where the family lived for a number of years.
Following the death of pharmacist Eileen Burke in the late-1960s, May took a job as pharmacist covering the chemist shop in Laurence Street in Drogheda, and so began her relationship with the town.
She joined the Gate Bridge club where she made life-long friends, enjoyed an active social life with other bridge players and also served a spell as president. She joined the women’s professional association, Soroptomists, where she also served as president.
Always an intelligent person, May was a member of Mensa in the 1970s.
Herself and Paddy built their dream home on the farm in Kilmainhamwood and moved back there in 1978. Sadly, Paddy died in January 1982 during ‘ the big snow’.
May embarked on a new chapter in her life, sold the family farm and purchased Netta Cogan’s pharmacy in Duleek, County Meath, which she ran until 1995 when she handed over the keys to Olive Maher and family.
During her time in Duleek she joined the Women’s Forum and enjoyed many day trips and weekends away with the lively group. She maintained many contacts in Duleek and most recently visited the annual fair day in August.
May moved to Broadmeadows, Drogheda, on her retirement 21 years ago where she made instant friends of her neighbours, who regularly popped in to visit and who were most supportive during her recent illness.
An avid gardener, May encouraged others to pick up a trowel and start growing plants. Her garden was full of colour and tasty treats to eat, such as strawberries and juicy apples.
In the last two years of her life, Comfort Carers played a major part in May’s life. They checked on her daily, with carers becoming close friends. May attended the Oncology Department in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and valued the care and attention she was afforded by each member of staff. In recent times, she attended Drogheda Community Services Centre one day per week.
May loved her children and grandchildren and was proud of their accomplishments and achievements. Her love for her hometown of Wicklow brought her back once a year, at least, when she caught up with old friends and familiar places.
May passed away peacefully at home in the company of her family on Wednesday, September 14. Her funeral was celebrated in Our Lady of Lourdes Church by Fr Maciej. Readings and gifts were by family members, with music by Sean Tester. She was laid to rest in St Peter’s cemetery, Drogheda.
May was predeceased by her husband Paddy, sister Frances, brothers-in-law and sisters-inlaw. She is survived by her daughter Caroline (Kavanagh), son Ciaran, daughter-in-law Joan, grandchildren Maeve and Roisin Kavanagh, Conor, Christine and Gillian Farrelly, sisters Sheila and Anne, brother Laurence, brother-in-law Con O’Rourke, sisters-in-law Sheila Tuohy and Peg Farrelly, nieces, nephews, extended family, and a wide circle of friends.
Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated in the Lourdes Church on Sunday, October 16, at noon.