103-year-old Mayo citizen dies

MEMORIES TO TREASURE Margaret Kearns is pictured celebrating her 100th birthday in 2013 with her then 11 grandchildren, front, from left: Daragh Hoban, Ciara Navin, John Navin, Rheanna Hoban, Margaret Kearns and Emma Reilly. Back, from left: Nathan Hoban, Leanne Reilly, Mark Reilly, Jamie Hoban, Shauna Navin and William Reilly. Pic: Jessica Priddy

Neill O’Neill

THERE was much sadness as the news spread yesterday that one of Mayo’s oldest and most venerable residents had passed away. Margaret Kearns, who would have been 104 on her next birthday, passed away yesterday (Monday) in the home of her daughter Kathleen Navin in Owenwee, just a couple of miles from Westport.

In a feature in The Mayo News to mark her one hundredth birthday, Margaret gave a brief overview of a remarkable life. Formerly Fadden, Margaret was born in Loughloon, Westport, on May 13, 1913, to Anthony and Kate (O’Malley) Fadden. She was the third youngest of a family of ten and was the last surviving member of the family.

She received her early education at Brackloon National School, where her niece Catherine O’Reilly would later serve as principal. When Margaret left school she worked on the family farm with her parents.

With her three sisters Mary, Bridget and Nora already in America, Margaret was arranging to join them when the Great Depression began. Her dreams of joining her siblings and gaining work in ‘the land of opportunity’ had to be put on hold, much to her disappointment. Her disappointment however, was assuaged when she met the love of her life James Kearns. After a short courtship they were married on March 28, 1937. They became the proud parents of two daughters, Beatrice (Comey) and Kathleen (Navin).

Life changed for the family when Jimmy, as he was popularly known, passed away after a short illness in January 1960. He and Margaret had been married for just under 23 years. Margaret’s strong faith sustained her in her grief and she carried on with life, caring for her daughters and doing her work daily. Prayer remained an important part of her daily life.

Margaret had a wide range of pastimes throughout her life and these included home baking, storytelling, at which she excelled, and holidays in Cavan and around the country. She always looked forward to those holidays with her sisters, one of whom, Bridget, lived to the age of 104, also in Owenwee, before passing away in 2008.

Margaret will be in reposal at Navin’s Funeral Home, Westport, today (Tuesday), October 11, from 5.30pm with removal at 7pm to St Mary’s Church, Westport. Her funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday at 12.30pm with burial afterwards in Aughavale Cemetery.

May she have peaceful rest.