'Good neighbour who endeared herself in her community' laid to rest in Tipperary
Sad news!
The death occurred on Wednesday, January 11 at Waterford University Hospital of Rita O’Dwyer (née Hanrahan), Gaile.
She was a native of Listeen, Kilkee, county Clare and was predeceased by her husband Patrick, who died in 2010.
She hailed from a family of four girls and was predeceased by her two sisters Bernadette and Maureen.
Following in the footsteps of her mother and aunt, Rita wen to England to train as a nurse and back in Ireland she began her nursing career in Limerick General Hospital.
In 1970, she married Patrick O’Dwyer, a member of the O’Dwyer family, Nodstown and settled down to a new life in Gaile in the former homestead of his Aunt Statia O’Grady (née Moloney, Ardmayle).
In her adopted parish, Rita was the heart of the home, helping Patrick on the family farm and caring for her family of three boys, who have happy memories of her baking and home cooking.
She was a good neighbour and endeared herself in her community with her warm and friendly personality and using her nursing skills in reaching out to others.
She loved gardening and every year she was a loyal supporter of Daffodil Day in Cashel, by supplying daffodils which she grew in abundance at her home in Gaile.
Above all, she was a great woman of faith and engaged in all church related activities.
Always a proud Clare woman, she kept in touch with her roots in her reading of the Clare Champion newspaper.
On Saturday, January 14, her remains were reposing at Devitt's Funeral Home, Cashel and on the following day, her Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Boherlahan by Fr Joe Egan PP, followed by burial in Ardmayle Cemetery.
Prayers at the graveside were recited by Fr Jimmy Donnelly PP Doon. Rita is survived by her three sons Noel, Brendan and Dermot and sister Bridie. Also by Joanna, Una and Anna (daughters-in-law), Clodagh, Ciara, Ava, Daragh, Sarah, Patrick and Donal (grandchildren), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephew, nieces, relatives and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended.
Peace to her Soul.