Anne McManus

Anne McManus, Irishtown, who died recently at her residence, was a central player in the community life of the Irishtown region. She operated the family shop and business in the centre of the village for more than 40 years and established a special rapport with the people of the district and further afield.

Formerly Rattigan from nearby Burrish, Anne was one of a family of nine born to Pat and Brigid. She was predeceased by her brothers Johnny and Mick, who lived in the home place in Burrish, and by her sisters, Noreen and Josie.

Like so many of her generation, she crossed the Irish Sea where she worked for a time as a bus conductor. She later found employment with Sainsburys, the grocery chain, and it was there that she developed a fondness for that kind of business.

On returning to Irishtown in the early 1960s, she purchased the shop, which was owned at the time by Katie Cullina. It was the start of a long association with the trade, and she developed her shop into a thriving business.

It was soon after that she met and later married Joe McManus from Kilmacnella, just across the county border in Galway. They raised a family of two, a daughter, Gretta, and a son, Raymond.

She had a strong personality, and she took pride and joy in her shop, which she had watched grow and develop over the years. She had a natural and easy way with people and loved serving her community.

Anne was ever helpful and courteous, and many were the times she assisted me with some items of relevant news from the Irishtown region when I needed to check some local connections. It was always so easy to call in to Anne and relax with a cup of tea. She had a very good knowledge of her people and community as the family shop was a real meeting place for so many from the Irishtown district.

A lady of strong faith, she was closely associated with the church in Irishtown and rendered many hours of service in various capacities to the church. She had a special devotion to Padre Pio and was always ready to assist and support parish ventures. Indeed, any community enterprise worthy of support always received it with a heart-and-a-half from Anne.

Over the years, she had to cope with a lot of ill health, and it was her health that eventually led to her retiring from the business during the 1990s. Gretta took over the running of the business at that stage and also took exceptionally good care of her mother in the years since then.

A devoted follower of Manchester United, she watched their games with much interest and loyalty, especially once she retired and had the time to do so. She had a good interest in sport in general and always enjoyed the special banter between the Mayo and Galway people, especially around big Connacht championship games, when the topic was always to the fore.

It was her wish to die at home. This wish was granted, and she passed peacefully to her reward surrounded by family and friends.

Removal took place from the family home to the church across the road and Fr Martin O’Connor celebrated the Requiem Mass. In his homily, he spoke of her dedication to her family and business and the wider community. He said Anne had a great understanding of people and had assisted many in the community in a quiet way when things were difficult for them. These acts of kindness were long remembered by those families.

The following tribute was read by her daughter Gretta at the end of the Funeral Mass.

“The journey of my mother’s life has been the most wonderful experience of our lives, and, if everyone here today can learn one thing, it is the gift of humour and laughter.

She offered so much all of her life, she has made us all laugh through her sickness with her one-liners, and we all know what they were. She had a lot of crosses in her life, but she battled through each and every one of them, accepting every cross that came her way, and rose above them.

Her motto in life was ‘one day at a time’, and she always asked the Lord, Our Lady and Padre Pio for help.

My journey with her has made me such a better and stronger person. I have met the most wonderful people along the way. She made an impact on everybody. She just had that special something that I call the spirit.

She loved her son, Raymond; her granddaughter, Chloe; and her husband, ‘my Joe’ as she would call him. They once asked me in the hospital if I would have a statue made of him.

I want to thank everybody who has touched her life and helped, made tea for her and talked and chatted to her, because that was what she loved.

I would like to give special thanks to everybody who cared for my mother. Doctors, nurses, carers, the palliative care team, friends and especially the staff at Marian House in Ballindine, who were very good to her. I have to mention all of her carers, Kathleen, Bev, the Annes, Maureen and Betty. Thanks to all my staff, who went to her aid when she called, especially Bridie and Josie. Thanks to Fr O’Connor and all the priests who touched her life. I would also like to thank our friends and neighbours for their support. They have been fantastic. She was very close to all of her friends and loved all her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews so much. If we all just leave here today with one thing from her, it’s to live life to the full. Thirty-seven years ago today, she gave birth to me, and I have the biggest privilege of her leaving this world on my birthday. Thank you mum.”

Anne is survived by her husband, Joe; son, Raymond (Budapest); daughter, Gretta; grandchild, Chloe; son-in-law, John; brothers, Paddy and Tom; sisters, Teresa and Mary; nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. - MC.