PICTURES: Bitter-sweet day for Scoil Mhuire Fatima as Margaret Mary Muldowney retires

A former student at the school and daughter of a past principal, Margaret Mary Muldowney retired from the Timahoe school after starting her career as an SNA in 2000.

It was a bitter-sweet day for Scoil Mhuire Fatima on Thursday 24 October as Margaret Mary Muldowney retired after 24 years of service at the Timahoe primary school.

The staff, children and Margaret Mary’s family gathered in the school hall to celebrate her wonderful career. They were joined by Parish Priest, Fr David Vard, who presided over a beautiful retirement service. Local musician and parent, Damien Bowe, was also in attendance to accompany the school choir.

Following the service, there were a number of presentations from the staff, the Parents’ Association and the Board of Management, all acknowledging Margaret Mary’s enormous contribution to the school since she began her career in 2000 as the school's first ever SNA.

Principal Michael McEvoy said that Margaret Mary had "given so much to the children of Scoil Mhuire Fatima. There are so many parents out there that will be forever indebted to you for the patience, kindness and compassion you have shown to their children."

He continued to say that the staff and children would miss her dearly and explained how she had been "a rock to so many over the years."

Principal McEvoy concluded: "We wish her the very best for the future as she pursues her creative interests of painting, needlework and gardening. We are sure she is also looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren, Abbie, Grace, Jack, Una, Sam, Charlie and Jamie."

Margaret Mary had a strong connection to Scoil Mhuire Fatima. Her father, Jim Sayers, moved to Laois from Kerry in the 1940s and eventually settled in Timahoe where he became headmaster of the school. Margaret Mary was born in Timahoe and attended school there during her father’s time as headmaster. Margaret Mary's children also attended the school.

Over the years, she became a prominent member of the community and was one of the founding members of the Timahoe Development Association and Tidy Towns Group.

The school said that, without a doubt, she will be remembered most for the relationships formed with the children she cared for.