Eva (83) was a woman of fun, faith and substance
EVA NEVILL, late of Bawnmore House, New Ross, who passed away peacefully on July 28 aged 83 at the New Houghton Hospital, was a devoted wife and mother who contributed greatly to her adopted hometown of New Ross.
Eva was born on October 24, 1933, in Inistioge to Edward and Susan Wills.
She grew up in the village with her brother George on the family farm where people would come to buy milk.
Her father Edward fought in the First World War and ran a hackney business, being one of the very few in the village to own a car.
Eva attended primary school in Inistioge and went on to a secondary boarding school in Celbridge, County Kildare.
In 1958 she married John Nevill, a farmer and moved to New Ross although she was always proud of her Kilkenny roots. Eva and John had three children, Olive, Daphne and Gerald.
She worked hard on the farm, spending many mornings milking cows and feeding calves. She loved gardening and growing flowers and vegetables.
Eva never lost touch with her Inistioge roots, returning often to visit her brother and she also loved going to Woodstock.
In the home Eva frequently turned her hand to baking, dressmaking, painting and wallpapering. She loved attending services at St Mary’s, Church of Ireland and also Waterford Baptist Church. She had a great love for the Bible and faith in Jesus Christ which sustained her throughout her life.
Her hobbies included table tennis, whist, tapestry, painting and letter writing. Eva was also a volunteer with the adult literacy for a number of years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and loved holidays to Donegal and Scotland.
Eva and John ran whist drives in the YMCA Hall on John Street for many years. They also hosted the Ros Tapestry for 13 years in their home at Bawnmore where two of the panels were stitched. Eva was renowned for her warm hospitality.
Eva was predeceased by John in 2007. She found great solace in her family and in her faith in the following years. She lived in the New Houghton Hospital for just over two years where she died on July 28, 2017.
Eva will be remembered as a woman of great kindness who thought of others more than herself. She was devoted to her family and community. Eva is survived by her daughters, Olive and Daphne; son Gerald; grandchildren, Davinia, William, Ellen, Rachel and Andrew; brother George; sons-in-law Richard and Aiden; daughterin-law Glenda; sisters-in-law Joy and Elsie; nephews; nieces; extended family and friends.
A large crowd attended Eva’s funeral service at St Mary’s Church on July 31. Her remains were interred in the adjoining cemetery. Eva’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the New Houghton Hospital for the excellent care she received and are very grateful for the amazing help, kindness and support received from so many at this sad time.
Eva will be greatly missed by her family and her friends.
In heavenly love abiding.