RIP: Longford village mourns former midwife and Rose Kennedy award recipient
Paula Cantwell Farrell of Clonfower passed away on Monday May 25
Life and living was always beautiful as was the warmth and welcome you received and all those emotions will be no longer with the passing of Paula Cantwell Farrell, Clonfower who passed away in the care of Thomond Lodge, Ballymahon on Monday May 25.
Paula, a native of Kilkenny came to Mullingar Hospital as a midwife where she met and married her husband Paddy Joe Farrell and settled into her new home in Clonfower.
She was an unassuming lady with a quiet disposition but as quiet as she was, when Paula spoke everybody listened. Although she married a farmer, farming was rarely on her radar but she seen family development and education as an imperative.
Paula was a tremendous advocate of St Christopher’s Longford and she was a fearless fighter for their rights so much so that for her tireless work she was awarded the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Mother’s Award an award that is presented to mothers of children with intellectual disabilities who demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant, lasting contributions to advocacy, public policy, and the development of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Paula always seen the beauty in everything and everybody and her artistic eye led her to create many fine paintings.
Everyone that knew Paula cherished her and their time with her for her integrity and reliability.
She was a lady that had so much positivity to offer and she did it in her own quiet and intellectual way. From an early age and as a Kilkenny person Camogie and hurling was deeply ingrained in her life and her love of and support of her county never diminished. She was predeceased by her parents Jack and Doll, her sister Mary and her son-in-law Paul.
Paula’s remains reposed at Glennon’s Funeral Home on Wednesday 27th May followed by the Mass of the Resurrection on Wednesday in St. Mary’s church.
Following mass burial took place in Clonbonny Cemetery.
To her husband, Paddy Joe, her daughter Anne, her sons Patrick, Paul and John, her brother Ned, grandchildren, Alice, Rosie, Tommy, Callie and Claire, relatives and friends we extend our sincere sympathy.