Catherine Rita Maher

MAHER (née Moore), Catherine Rita (Clogher Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 and formerly of Charles Street West, Dublin 1) May 9^th 2020 peacefully in the loving care of the dedicated staff of Marymount Care Centre, Westmanstown. Beloved wife of the late James and cherished and much loved mother of John, Miriam, Patrick, James, Catherine and Elizabeth.

Sadly missed by her loving sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brother Peadar, sister-in-law Joan, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. R.I.P.

A private funeral will take place due to government advice regarding public gatherings. When the current circumstances have passed, we look forward to celebrating Catherine’s life with friends and extended family.

If you would like to view Catherine's Funeral, please follow this link from 11.45am on Tuesday 12th May -  www.memoriallane.ie/livestream/

Those who would have wished to attend the funeral service, but due to  current restrictions cannot, please leave your personal message by selecting “Book of Condolences” 

Family flowers only, donations if desired to Pieta House.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis”

A Tribute From Catherine's Son John

It is difficult to find enough words to condense a life that covers nearly nine and half decades into a few lines and do it the justice it deserves.  Life is a one way ticket and whatever lies beyond the threshold should reflect the struggles earnestly made during that sojourn.   Mam’s life matters a lot not least to her children all six of them but also to her sixteen grandchildren and more recently a great grandmother.

Let me start at the beginning.  Mam was gifted to this world on 25 June 1925 as one of seven children to Catherine and Patrick Moore.  Growing up in Central Dublin, Mam was surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a dynamically developing city. She lived a tranquil and beautiful life within the bosom of a close-knit and caring family. She inherited robust qualities such as hard-working, an open disposition, strong will and sense of what is right coupled to a giddy sense of humour.  She exuded a quiet spiritual belief anchored in her Catholic faith.

 

As a stunning brunette she encountered a handsome young James Maher and an attraction blossomed which eventually lead to their marriage in March 1951.   Over a period spanning twelve years she provided Ireland with six sturdy citizens.  As a housewife, she managed the household finances with sensible thriftiness always valuing quality over price. Something she instilled in all of her children and which we continue to reflect in our own lives.  She knew how to enjoy the simple pleasures in life and an occasionally, a snowball, which for those not familiar with it is a very mild drink made with advocaat and white lemonade. 

 

She had a natural singing voice and would thrill us when she sang her favourite songs at family gatherings. In her youth she demonstrated her adventurous and compassion spirit by joining the Girl Guides and later the Legion of Mary.  She often spoke of the great holidays she spent with her Great Aunt Sarah out  in Stillorgan which was then in the country and not as it is now part of Dublin.  Later she spent many a summer with her friends in Wexford a county she continued to like throughout her life.  She always cherished her roots in this land and always spoke of it highly and never thought much of foreign holidays.

All relationships have their ups and downs but Mam’s resilient nature and strong qualities always shone forth to focus on the real issues that matter in life.  She was a superb cook and baker and all she made was devoured by her brood of six within a very short time of it being produced on the table.  

 

Mam’s character found expression in a simple and natural beauty.  This manifested itself in subtle ways in the softness of her eyes, the warmth of her smile, the gentle tone of her voice and the kindness of her expressions. Such beauty is moulded by a life of sacrifice, perseverance, selflessness and commitment to a sound ethical code. She loved her husband James whose untimely death in 1991 was a traumatic shock but she found solace in her children and grandchildren. She instilled in all of us the qualities she had obtained from her parents; respect, loyalty, kindness and responsibility.

 

Since early 2014, Mam was a resident of Mary Mount Care Centre in Lucan Dublin which provided to her with the required living assistance.  The carers at the Mary Mount often informed my siblings how strong a person she was and remarked on her charm and gentle humility. A few weeks ago the corona virus infected her system.  The same virus which has wrecked havoc in so many communities worldwide was too much for her frail body to combat. We are thankful and very much appreciate the efforts given by the carers at Mary Mount in affording the necessary comfort and dignity to her journey’s end.

 

As I stated at the outset it is difficult to capture all of the aspects of a life so committed to her family, from which she derived an unspoken sense of pride and satisfaction.  There are many more memories each of her children shall, no doubt, recount over the coming months which may raise a smile and maybe a tinge of regret.  There’s no need for that latter, as Mam lived a life fulfilled with conviction and beauty. She had been our sanctuary and guiding light throughout our lives and will remain for a long time to come.  Her absence will be felt but her spirit will endure within all of us and through all of the following generations.  Those strengths, sense of purpose and generosity will continue to shine

forever.

OUR MAM

Sleep now your eternal peace,

A just reward for Life’s toiling,

Your smiling laughter will ease

Those haunting memories of our parting.

 

Cast your shadow over us,

To relieve our grieving pain,

Mother to us you are a colossus,

And in our hearts will always remain.

 

Rise as a new star in Paradise,

In Dad’s arms your loves embrace,

Singing with angel choirs,

But smile upon us your timely grace.

 

So at journey’s end we say goodbye,

And celebrate your Living,

With love, joy and an occasional sigh,

Our Mam never forgotten, always giving.

 

Rest in Peace Mam.

John Maher

May 2020