Annie Hussey

Annie Hussey, Larganboy, Ballyhaunis, who died earlier this year, commanded great respect and regard around the Bekan and Ballyhaunis areas. She had been in declining health for a number of years.

One of a family of two girls born to Mary (nee Lyons) and Patrick Hynes in Larganboy, she lived in Larganboy until she went to England. While across the Irish Sea, she worked in Altringham and Sale near Manchester for three or four years.

Annie returned to Ireland and married Jim Hussey from Clydaugh, Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon and they settled in Larganboy. Farming was their way of life and, like so many of their generation, they undertook all the usual chores associated with the seasonal aspect of life on the land. They raised a family of two, Rose and Kathleen.

Blessed with a lovely and gentle disposition, Annie always had a smile on her face. She loved meeting friends and neighbours on her regular shopping visits to Ballyhaunis. You were always assured of the warmest of welcomes and shakehands when you met Annie.

She was also a fine singer and was much in demand to sing at social gatherings, weddings, station parties, spraois and sessions. She loved the music and especially Country and Irish, traditional and ballads. Among her favourite songs were “I’ll Walk Beside You”, “The Moon Behind the Hill”, “My Donegal Shore” and “Hometown on the Foyle”.

She was an ardent listener to Mid-West Radio – especially to John Duggan, Michael Commins, Joe Byrne and Seamus Duffy’s programmes - and she had a great ear for new talent coming on the scene.

For Annie, a night out with friends at some music session was something to cherish. She had a wonderful appreciation of all things Irish and she was an ardent reader of Ireland’s Own and other such publications, as well as the local newspapers.

Annie Hussey had a kind word for everyone. She was one of the grand “old stock” of the region, a lady whose kindness and compassion reached out to many. She died peacefully in the kind care of the management and staff at Manor Brook Nursing Home in Ballyhaunis.

Father Mullins, Bekan Parish, officiated at the funeral ceremonies. She was laid to rest in the Friary cemetery, Ballyhaunis, after Requiem Mass.

Annie was pre-deceased by her husband, Jim Hussey, in 1974 and also by her sister, Nora Regan, Killinaugher, Ballyhaunis, and her son-in-law, Michael Duddy, Enfield and Castlebar.

She is survived by her daughters, Rose and Kathleen; grand-daughter, Niamh; nephews and nephews-in-law, nieces and nieces-in-law, and extended family, neighbours and friends. May her gentle soul rest in peace.