The Late Margaret (Peggy) Bourke The death has taken place at her residence, 'Rose Cottage', Upper Quay, Westport of Ms Margaret (Peggy) Bourke, the last surviving member of an old and very highly-respected Westport Quay family. She was in her late eighties and was a retired insurance company supervisor with American Mutual, Boston, Massachussetts. She was daughter of the late James and Maria Bourke. As a young woman Peggy, as she was popularly known was an outstanding camogie player and was a member of Mayo's championship camogie team. She was a member of staff at the former O'Gorman Printing Company at Westport Quay before deciding to emigrate to the United States in the late fifties. During all her time in Boston she was regarded as a true daughter of the old sod. Her Irish smile and quick wit captivated not only those who worked with her and for her, but all those with whom she came in contact along life's pathway. To know her was to love her and she had a deserved reputation as a woman of exceptional generosity. In 1995 she returned to her native Westport Quay with her sister Mary to live with their brother John. Sadly, both Mary and John predeceased her. Peggy loved all sports and, during her time in the United States, she was an avid supporter of the Boston Red Sox, the new England Patriots and The Boston Bruins. She was an ardent GAA fan and had a low tolerance level for visitors if they interrupted a match in which Mayo was playing. No day passed without her reading the newspapers to keep right up to date on current affairs at home and in the United States. Politics were a lifelong interest for her. Before moving to the United States Peggy directed the construction of the 1954 Marian Year Statue of the Virgin Mary at Westport Quay. She also spearheaded for many years the decoration of the facade of St Mary's Church, Westport for the annual Corpus Christi Procession. This work was carried out each year on a voluntary basis by virtually all residents of Westport Quay. She is mourned by her niece Nuala and her husband, Michael Joe O'Sullivan who took care of her during her final illness and gave her endless love and support, her niece Bridget and husband Michael Merrick from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bridget was a frequent visitor to Westport Quay in recent years. For over fifty years she was Peggy's constant companion, beginning in Westport, then in Boston and finally back in Westport. Peggy is also mourned by other relatives - Mary Gray, Danny Bourke, Margaret McNally, Tommie Bourke, Angela Walker and Pat Walley and their brother, Jimmy Burke from England, cousins Dominick and Betsy Burke, Fairfield, Connecticut, Noel and Bridie Bourke, Westport Quay, Bob and Linda Connolly, Chicago, Illinois, Janet and Bill Porter, numerous other relatives and friends, including special friend, Mary Gillivan of James Street, Westport. Peggy had a close and loving relationship with her cousins, Monsignor Thomas Bourke and Sister Annie Bourke of Belmont, North Carolina, both of whom died in recent years. She was also predeceased by her nephew, Jimmy Burke and her niece, Agnes Timothy. Peggy's popularity was reflected in the large turnout of mourners at her removal from Navin's Funeral Parlour to St Mary's Church, Westport. The concelebrants of her Funeral Mass were Fr Denis Carney, Adm., Westport and Fr Padraic O'Connor, PP, Mountbellew and former administrator in Westport, a special friend of Peggy's. Family members read the lessons and prayers of the faithful and participated in bringing the offertory gifts to the altar. St. Mary's Church Choir participated in the liturgy. In the Mass homily tributes were paid to Peggy for her deep faith, her concern for others and her great wit and humble which brightened the lives of so many people. Peggy was laid to rest in Aughvale Cemetery. May her gentle soul have peaceful rest. Courtesy of the Mayo News 19th March 2005 Tweet

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