99-year-old Rose Anne a ‘gentle soul’ who was loved and revered

Rose Anne passed away peacefully and her family have fond memories of her and are thankful to have had her in their lives for so long.

Humble and kind

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter about Rose Anne, her niece Rita on behalf of the whole family, said they remember her as a “humble, kind, gentle soul whom we loved and revered”.

“She was ‘clothed in strength and dignity’, a woman of unshakable faith and humility. A gentle and beautiful soul that we are so privileged to have known and thankful to have had in our lives for so long.”

Rose was born on September 10, 1921 to John and Kate Murray in Derrylin, where she grew up with her younger brother, John, helping on the farm.

She looked after her parents until they passed away before taking up roles as a live-in homecare assistant in Lisnaskea and as a live-in housekeeper for Dr. Curran and his family in Kinawley until her retirement in 1982, where she was known for her diligence, kindness and discretion.

“Retirement did not stop her continuing to help others and she did messages for her neighbours, went to Mass every day on her big black Raleigh bike and volunteered to help out in the local chapel in any way she could. When her eyesight began to fail, she continued to do messages for her neighbours but instead pushed her Raleigh bike along.”

Mass

After a spell of illness 20 years ago, she moved to the Graan Nursing Home where she settled well into her new surroundings. She was very happy in the Graan Nursing Home and she could get to Mass every day.

A spokesperson for The Graan described Rose Anne as “part of the family” and a very quiet, lovely lady.

Her family spoke of the amazing care she has been given by all the staff whilst in the Graan and in particular Nurse Barbara McNutt who went over and above in the call of her duties in Rose Annes final days.

A woman never to make a fuss, Rose Anne survived breast cancer, a mastectomy and even Covid-19 last year and seemed to be on track to reach 100 years old.

“As children, we remember her coming up to see us on her big black, heavy Raleigh bike -before gears were a concept - with sweets, Easter eggs and presents.

“She had no interest in material items and had an incredible spirituality and faith. Prayer and fasting was central to her life.”

Amazing support

Rita and the family believe Rose Anne completed Lough Derg at least 60 times and would have been on the bus to Knock whenever she could.

“As a family, we were trying to count the number of times she completed Lough Derg and we concluded that she must have completed Lough Derg at least 60 times!

“And if there was a bus going to Knock, you could be sure she’d be on it! Suffice to say, we never heard her speak a negative word about anyone. She was an amazing support to our dad and ourselves when our mother passed away suddenly in 1994.”

Rita conculded by saying: “She was an extremely intelligent and humble woman, easy to converse with and recounted experiences of living through the rations of wartime and the hardships people endured. She came from a generation that had incredible tenacity.