Limerick's oldest citizen Betty (107) laid to rest
Tributes were paid to the late Limerick woman today who was a fixture in the lives of Kilmallock residents
TRIBUTES have been paid to the late Betty McElholm following her funeral yesterday in Ss Peter & Paul's Church Kilmallock.
Fr Chris O'Donnell said Betty had been "part and parcel of life" in the town since 1917.
Fr O'Donnell remarked: "In many ways, she's been like family to so many, a fixture in the lives of so many people here. You've never known life without Betty as such." He said locals would miss her "smiling face" and warmth but acknowledged that Betty would be happy to reunite with her late husband Sam.
"She had such a great glint of devilment in her eyes and joy and a smile that lit up the world that we'll all miss." The local priest said it was rare that he would get to perform a funeral for someone who had lived to the age of 107.
A number of symbols were brought forward to represent Betty's life; Scots Clan sweets, a mystery book, Ireland's Own magazine and flowers and bulbs to show Betty's love of gardening and nature.
Fr O'Donnell said: To know Betty was to know she loved to read. It's probably what kept her as sharp as she was. She could in her heyday read a few books in a week.
Betty grew up with seven siblings in a busy house and had many stories of growing up in Kilmallock. While her siblings largely spread their wings, Betty stayed in the town.
"People will marvel at Betty's age and we're grateful for this but more important than this was her love and kindness and the great example she was to the people of Kilmallock and beyond," said Fr O'Donnell. "In her 107 years, Betty has left a trail of nameless acts of kindness and love, and we give thanks for the friendship and the love that she poured into your hearts and lives today."
Betty's mother Mary ran a shop on Kilmallock’s main street where Betty lived until her death. The shop was notably burned to the ground by the Black and Tans in July 1920 when Betty was three-years-old.
Fr O'Donnell said Betty had some great phrases and a great heart. She also loves sport and spoke about crying on her way home from an all Ireland in years gone by when Limerick lost to Kilkenny.
"She could tell stories of raids on the barracks and her house being burnt down and living in Effin for a few years as a child. She had also cycled to Effin regularly to visit family, and the children knew she wouldn't arrive without sweets so she was always welcome," commented Fr O'Donnell.
The limerick priest also described Betty as very "determined" and recounted when she suffered a bad nosebleed in the night on one occasion and refused to allow the paramedics to carry her down the stairs. "They were insisting on carrying her down the stairs, but they were told in no uncertain terms that she had walked up and down that stairs for over a hundred years and it wasn't going to change."
The Kilmallock woman is understood to have been the sixth oldest person in Ireland. Remarkably, she lived at home in Kilmallock with the assistance of family members until quite recently before being cared for in nearby Maria Goretti Nursing Home.
Betty passed away in the loving care of the staff and management of Maria Goretti Nursing Home, Kilmallock, on August 13.