Kilgeever, Louisburgh
Mary was born on December 21, 1928 to Austin and Ellen Hynes, Durless, Westport. She had one sister called Bridie. She went to Bouris National School where afterwards she stayed home to help her parents with the farming.
Mary developed a love of Set dancing in the subsequent years and it was at Ted’s Hall, her local dance hall in Mullagh at the age of 20, she met Patrick Jennings. The spark of romance coupled with the dancing paved the way for Mary and Patrick’s courtship of nine years. On June 5, 1957 that courtship continued when they got married in Lecanvey Church.
On return from their honeymoon, Mary and Patrick lived in Kilgeever along with Patrick’s parents, Thomas and Nora. It was in Kilgeever that Mary applied all of the skills she had learned along the way caring for both her father-in-law and mother-in-law when they became ill in old age and later her own Mom and Dad.
Mary continued to work hard on the Farm but also her love of flowers, shrubs and Lawns came to the fore when both she and Patrick shaped their signature gardens for the years to follow.
While life was going well for them, Patrick took ill in the late 90’s and his struggle with his health culminated in his death on the 10th of February, 2003. Mary’s days as a carer was over, but she was alone and lost without the one she loved most She took great comfort in listening to people share their personal stories of grief and how they were managing. The arrival of home help coupled with meals on wheels brought a new lease of life to Mary.
In the following years, Mary continued as best she could but towards the latter end of that decade the years started to take its toll. In September 2012, she lost her ability to walk and subsequently went to Swinford care centre In October 2012. The following January she was transferred to McBride home where she resided until the 10th of July, 2016 when she peacefully passed away.
Mary was a strong, courageous, hard working woman, humble, unassuming and very private. She loved to talk to the neighbours; she appreciated the visitors, the local people and especially the regular Sunday visits of Assumpta Fergus and Assumpta Sammin. She was also a very keen reader and had a very strong faith and an exceptional loyalty to Saint Martin which is very visible throughout her home to this very day.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Patrick, sister Bridie and husband Kilian. She’s survived by her nieces, nephews and extended family.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.
