Kilkenny obituary: Mary Egan, Ballykeeffe, Cuffesgrange

A light dimmed when news of the passing of Mary Egan (née Murphy) at her home in Ballykeeffe was announced on December 10.

A very special person, Mary was born and bred in Rylands, Cuffesgrange. She was a wonderful conversationalist, particularly when engrossed in tales of her youth. Like all kids going to school at the time, Mary was a free spirit. She loved the country, farming and the ritual of walking to school with her young friends.

Having finished her education as a boarder with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Ferrybank in Waterford, she returned home to Rylands and met the love of her life, Tom Egan, whom she married in 1957.

Mary Egan was a one-off. When Tom passed away in 1980, it presented Mary with a daunting dilemma. The demands of an extensive farm were more than challenging, but the redoubtable Mary addressed the challenges with a fierce will to make things work.

In addition to all her home-grown challenges, Mary Egan immersed herself in every step of the parish demands. Her annual trip to Knock was legendary for many elements. A woman blessed with many attributes, her faith was her most precious gift. She lived her life as a true Christian, attending Mass daily if not twice a day. Probably her greatest life achievement happened when she was presented with the Benemerente Medal for services to the Catholic Church in Kilmanagh in November 2024.

Mary Egan was an unbelievable woman, with travel playing a big part of her life. She travelled to Australia seven times to visit her children and grandchildren.

She had a great sense of adventure, and on one trip to Australia she sneaked seed potatoes and daffodil bulbs out to another son, Michael and his wife Pauline in Australia. A great traveller, she also made a number of visits to her daughter Kathleen in America, in addition to many trips around Europe including Rome for the Beatification of Blessed Edmund Rice, to Fatima and Lourdes.

Many people will have fond memories of Mary’s time on the stage as, for 23 years, she brought the house down with her antics in the Callan Variety Show at St Brigid’s College. The packed hall was enthralled as the many acts, sketches, and musical interludes entertained audiences from all over the county and further afield.

It wasn’t the first time Mary brought the house down. She had that infectious ability to make people laugh. Years ago, there was a cooking competition on RTÉ. Her daughter Agnes and granddaughter Aileen entered Mary in the best cooking Mammy on the planet. It took a bit of convincing, but she went to the RTÉ studio and stole the show - the hosts never knew what hit them!

Mary Egan will be missed by a litany of people but especially by her children Danny, Michael, Agnes, Joan, Eddie, Tommy, Marie and Kathleen. Michael’s wife Pauline and their three children in Australia will miss ‘Gran’. Two of Mary’s grandchildren - Jen and Sean - and three great-grandchildren are living in Australia and they too will have fond memories of their Gran and Great Gran who visited them on a number of occasions. The rest of Mary’s grandchildren are domiciled in Ireland and they surely will miss that special love that is the remit of Irish grannies.

She will also be missed by her two sisters Hannie and Nellie, to whom we offer sincerest condolences on the passing of their sister.

Mary’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 1. - BH