The Late Ann Marie Manogue For the following few days hundreds of words and cliches were used to describe her life. All of them without doubt true. Yet for us there was something missing. Some word that best described the woman who had shared out workspace for the best part of ten years. The word is probably stickability. When Ann Marie joined the Watergate in 1994, it was for most of us, our first experience working with a person with a disability. The first few weeks were slightly strained. This was due to out awkwardness and inability to handle the fact that Ann Marie was a wheelchair user. It was time for straight talking and she was the woman to do it. "Stop the fussing over me and treat me like everyone else." From that day on, her order was obeyed and a healthy working relationship was formed. For nine years Ann Marie worked at the theatre. Her efforts and input contributing in no small way to the success enjoyed by the Watergate to-day. Hardly a day goes by without an advertisement appearing in the national papers offering customer relation services jobs. If it's not that, then it's a special course on improving your telephone skills. Well that was something that Ann Marie never needed. "All you have to do is be nice," she would say. And she was. Her manner in dealing with customers was exceptional. Whether it was to a person on the phone or someone who would call in enquiring about the theatre programme, she was always the epitome of helpfulness and friendliness. And the beauty of it was that it came naturally. Lovely to witness. The "G" word Was it always peaceful?. Not really. Especially. Mondays. Mondays were particularly bad. Not in a Bob Geldof " I don't like Mondays way." More in a GAA way. To understand this you have to understand the set up at the Watergate. With their GAA colours on we have an O'Loughlin's man, a 'Boro woman, a Conahy Shamrocks woman, a representative of Gowran and a son of the village that gave birth to Lory Meagher. We also have what we believe to be a 'Boro man but he's still in the closet. So he doesn't count. And then we had Ann Marie who did everything but paint the office red and green. All would be going well on Monday. But if a break in business came the three letter word was spoken. "GAA." "How did the village do at the weekend Ann Marie?" The wheelchair was put into reverse and she closed in, blocked off any chance of escape. And then the debate started. The particular match was replayed puck by puck. Managers, players, referees, Iinesmen, umpires - all were under scrutiny and considered fair game for discussion. When it came to hurling you were either with her or "agin" her. And if you were "agin" her then you had to be prepared to state your case. And leave it alone when Kilkenny seniors were playing. An early championship match wouldn't be too bad. But coming close to the All Ireland you were sure to get a slap of a hurl, at some point during the day. Who should or shouldn't be on the panel was like a passion to her. After placing the "Village" hurlers on the team she would then, out of the kindness of her heart, allocate places to the remaining clubs. Going to the theatre was another love of Ann Marie's life. She was a regular at shows, especially musicals, pantomimes and concerts. Pat Ryan from the musical society was a particular favourite of hers and it was fitting to see him sing so well at Ann Marie's funeral Mass. Dominic Kirwan of course was the king of the stage as far as she was concerned. Or, Dominic as she would say. No need for his surname. The whole world was supposed to know that when Ann Marie said that Dominic was doing a tour she meant of course Dominic Kirwan. Now if (and it would want to be a big if) you were feeling brave, and you had a head start of a few meters you could pass a negative remark about the Village hurling team and get away with it. Maybe. You might even risk a complaint about the Kilkenny senior hurling team and get away with it. Maybe. But you would want your head examined to speak with a forked tongue about Saint Dominic of the stage. Dominic was there for one reason only. To be loved and adored. And when you did that you loved and adored him a bit more. We will remember Ann Marie mostly for her willingness to share the workload. She was forever offering her help. She had a knack of knowing when help was needed and would think nothing of working through her lunchtime to help out. That's just the way she was. If the box office was extra busy she would stay on until the pressure eased off. And no matter what the job was, she never left it until it was finished . Thanks for the memories Ann Marie from your friends at the Watergate. Anne Marie died just three weeks after the passing of her great friend Margaret Shanahan of Haltigan Terrace, Kilkenny. Courtesy of the Kilkenny People September 2003 Tweet

Most Read Stories