Bourke, Mary
November 05, 2009An Appreciation
It is with great sadness that the news of Mary Bourke's death filtered through the community of Courganeen on the 26th September this year at the age of 80 years. After a very short illness Mary passed away surrounded by her family in Nenagh General Hospital on the Saturday evening. Mary (nee Mullally) was a member of an old and well established family from Clonakenny. Born to John and Margaret Mullally, she was one of eight children who grew up and crossed the parish to Courganeen to Marry Pat Bourke. Here they settled into a remarkably loving and simplistic married life in the country and they too went on to rear eight children.
All during this time Mary was a remarkable wife, mother and home-maker, who's brown bread and tarts were the highlight of her children's Saturday nights and yet still to the day of her funeral, were fondly remembered by the countless neighbours and friends that offered their sympathies.
Mary Bourke was a woman who always seemed to be in top form, whether you called to her door day or night, or you met her at a match, or in town wandering round the supermarket. She was always ready for life's knocks and faced them head on, with a "Sure, what about it" or a "Did you ever see the likes of it"…and a laugh. A lesson that could be learnt by many of us today. She was a loyal and dedicated supporter of Clonakenny G.A.A. and never missed a match. Proudly, three of her sons played hurling for the club over the years and in later years she always enjoyed watching her grandsons playing for Roscrea and Clonakenny. As a sense of appreciation for her constant support and loyalty her coffin was draped with the Clonakenny colours.
Sadly, Pat passed away in April 1985 and true to Mary's true strength of character and courage she carried herself through life, rearing and enjoying her young family, interacting with her numerous friends and neighbours and not often did the friendly smile slip. A person, and true friend of this calibre, is a valuable gem to find, throughout life, and anyone who has had pleasure of ever knowing Mary (and Pat) will realise how true this is and how lucky they have been.
Mary will be deeply missed and cherished forever by her sons John, Aidan, Brendan and Joe, daughters Margaret, Noreen, Geraldine and Mary, her sister Mrs. Bab Ryan, (Dublin), brothers Patsy (Clonakeeny), and Jim (Cork), her 19 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, countless friends and neighbours who supported and sympathised on her passing.
Courtesy of Tipperary Star
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