Tooreen
Known affectionately as Biddy to one and all, she was a twin and one of a family of six and was the last of her generation of the Ganley family. She married a namesake, Pake Ganley from Brackloon, Ballyhaunis, and they raised a family of seven, five daughters and two sons. The death of their son Johnny at the age of 44 back in 1995 was truly a heavy cross to shoulder for Biddy and Pake. Johnny was so much part of life in the Tooreen area and his sudden passing was a huge shock to the region at the time.
Pake and Biddy were hard-working farming people who cared for their family and their home with much devotion and attention. Times were different and taking care of the farm meant many long days of hard work with the seasons dictating the chores on the land. There was a place and a time for everything in what was a well structured system handed down through the generations. The affinity with the land and nature was very real and the arrival of the long nights of winter offered a reprieve from the demands of the long days of summer.
Looking after her family and attending to the many other duties in the home and on the farm kept her busy. But like so many of her generation, Biddy was happy and content with her way of life in rural Ireland.
She was a deeply religious and spiritual woman who had a great attachment to her Christian faith. She was blessed with a wonderful sense of acceptance of “God’s will” and was never judgmental in her attitude to others. She was a firm believer in providence and took everything in her stride. She saw the good in everyone and was always glad to lend good and sound advice.
Biddy moved to Knock shortly after the death of her husband Pake eight years ago and made many new friends in the Knock area in the time that was to follow. She never lost her fondness for Tooreen and visited her daughter-in-law Mary and family in Crossard on many weekends over those years.
She loved to attend Mass on a regular basis at Knock Shrine and she looked forward in a special way to the regular First Friday visits of the priests from the parish including Msgr Joe Quinn in more recent times.
Over the years, Biddy took an active interest in current affairs and politics and always enjoyed the excitement of the election campaigns. She also followed with interest the Gaelic championships each summer, always delighting in seeing Mayo putting in good displays along the way.
Biddy had a tremendous rapport with younger people and they gravitated to her in a special way. She made friends easily and exuded a peaceful and serene nature which endeared her to so many people.
Truly can it be said that Biddy Ganley was one of the lovely ‘old stock’ of Mayo. She has left a legacy of commonsense, goodwill and kindness for those to follow. She will be remembered with the greatest affection by her devoted family and close friends.
Removal took place from the residence of Phil and Seamus and family to Tooreen Church with burial in Aghamore Cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Msgr Joe Quinn, Canon Michael Goaley, Glenamaddy, and Canon James Kelly, Tooreen. Her granddaughter Lorraine Cullinane joined the Tooreen choir and rendered some favourite psalms while Nuala Forkan played some melodies on the fiddle and Frankie Forde Waldron featured on the organ.
Biddy is survived by her family, Tim, Daisy, Bridie, Cait, Josephine and Phil, daughter-in-law Mary, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. - MC.
