A tribute to Poll
JUST A year ago this week, the Rathangan and Cleariestown area lost one of its well loved parishioners when Pauline (Poll) Roche from St Anne’s passed away on October 23, 2017 after a long illness.
Poll was the daughter of John and Elizabeth McDonnell, who moved to Wexford from County Carlow. They had originally farmed in Closutton, the same land that now echoes to the thunder of hooves.
Her parents settled in Castletown, Bridgetown and went on to have a large family.
When Poll was just 21, she captured the heart of a local cattle dealer Watt Roche from Scar. Watt came from a well-known family of cattle dealers but he was also known for his singing voice. When they married, they set up home in St Anne’s. She was the apple of his eye and they went on to have eight children.
Poll was a typical hard-working farmer’s wife and home maker. She churned and made her own butter and reared turkeys and chickens. she was also famous for her home baking, especially her apple tarts.
Poll always treasured her Carlow connection and her many relations who lived there. She visited them regularly and was always so happy when they came to visit her.
Tragically, Poll lost her beautiful son Dermot when he was just two years old. Watt passed away in 1980 and she missed him sorely. Her eldest son Noel died in 1999 and although her heart was broken, she soldiered on for the sake of her other children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She kept up her weekends away with her sister Nonie to all parts of Ireland and trips to her beloved Kilmore Quay. Poll had a smile and a friendly word for everyone and that is how she will be remembered by everyone who knew her.
She left behind her daughters Marie, Betty, Ann, Dolores, and Breda; her son Kevin; sons-inlaw Martin, Willie, Richard and Pip; daughters-in-law Ann and Michelle; sisters Nonie, Florrie and Breda; and sister-in-law Maud, nieces, nephews and beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
One of Poll’s favourite replies when you tried to pin her down to a timeline for anything was ‘by and by’ so her family felt it was fitting to finish with the words of the beautiful song: ‘In the sweet by and by we will meet on that beautiful shore’. May her gentle soul Rest In Peace.
Poll’s first anniversay Mass takes place in Rathangan on Sunday, October 28 at 11 a.m.