White, Mary
April 14, 2010Tralee and Boherbee in particular mourns the death of Mary White (nee Weir) of Marian Park and formerly of the Staff Barracks. Aged 77, Mary hailed from the Boherbee end of town of which she was immensely proud.
Mary passed away peacefully on Monday March 29, at her home in Marian Park with her family by her side. She came to reside in Marian Park in the Marian Year of 1954, having lived at the Staff Barracks, Boherbee, following her marriage to Paddy White.
Paddy was a native of Derrynanane, Waterville and came to Tralee working in Benner's Hotel, Castle Street. It was there that he meet his future wife Mary Weir, who was also employed there.
Mary who was born in 1932, was one of seven children born to John and Bridget Weir. Her siblings were sisters Breda and Joan and brothers Broddy, Gerard, Derry and Georgie, who sadly died at the age of 15.
Educated by the Sisters of Mercy at Moyderwell School, Mary went to work in Benner's Hotel and later at Balloonagh Convent and Kerry General Hospital. Many of the people Mary worked with also became close friends and remember her with great affection.
Her family home in Marian Park formed part of a very close knit community. She and Paddy were proud parents to children John, Pat, Marian and Barbara. She celebrated many happy family occasions and the birth of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a cause of great joy.
Mary's neighbours in Marian Park, particularly the O'Flahertys and Lehanes, played a very important part in her life also. She loved to stop and chat about the events of the day while sitting on the chair outside her front door.
Mary was a very straight talking woman who believed in calling a spade a spade and left no one in doubt about where she stood on any particular subject.
An avid supporter of the John Mitchells and Kerry football teams, she travelled to many All-Ireland finals on the now famous Ghost Train. Along with her husband Paddy, their regular travelling companions were Mossie and Mary Jo O'Shea and Mossie and Alice Daly.
Basketball was also another of her sporting interests and the CMYS, Denny Street, witnessed some outstanding games in the 60s and 70s. She also took to watching snooker on television when it was first shown as the Pot Black Tournament.
Mary's social outings were to Horans Hotel and Ballygarry where she would dance the night away with her family and friends. She and Paddy also enjoyed a social drink in the Ballymac Bar, Boherbee. Sadly for Mary and her family, Paddy passed away in November 1994.
In latter years Mary made a number of trips to visit her sister Breda in Bermuda and her brother Broddy in Albany, New York.
The removal of Mary's remains took place from McElligott's Funeral Home on Wednesday evening, March 31. Liturgy of the Word took place on Thursday morning followed by burial in New Rath Cemetery.
Mary is sadly missed by her children John, Pat, Marian and Barbara, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister Breda, brothers Broddy and Derry, sons-in-law Joe and Martin, daughters-in-law Dell and Karen, relatives and friends.
Courtesy of the Kerryman
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