Carrickmacross is mourning Teresa O'Hanlon (née Ward) of Mullinary, who died on Monday 19 October, little more than six months after the death of her husband, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, the former Cavan-Monaghan TD, Minister for Health and Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil.
According to the family's death notice, published on rip.ie and Northern Sound, Teresa died peacefully in the Acute Stroke Unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, with her family around her. Originally from Craughwell and Milltown in Co Galway, she lived at Mullinary, Carrickmacross.
A family well known across the county
Dr O'Hanlon died on 31 March this year at the age of 92. A GP in Carrickmacross before he entered politics, he was first elected for Cavan-Monaghan in 1977 and held his seat at every election until he retired in 2011. He served as Minister for Health from 1987 to 1991 and as Ceann Comhairle from 2002 to 2007, RTÉ reported at the time of his death. Among the many tributes then, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy both extended their sympathy to Teresa and the family, and Deputy Carthy said Rory would be especially missed in "his adopted home town of Carrickmacross".
Teresa is survived by her daughters Fiona and Dearbhla and her sons Rory, Ardal, Neale and Shane. Her son Ardal is the actor and comedian best known for playing Father Dougal in Father Ted. She is also mourned by her daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, 13 grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, her brother Jimmy, her sisters-in-law, and a wide circle of relatives, neighbours and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Jim and Tess Ward, her sister Maura, her brother Brendan, and her sisters-in-law Dr Maeve Smyth and Sr Deirdre.
Tributes from friends
Friends quoted by the Anglo-Celt on Tuesday remembered her warmth. One described Teresa as having "a wonderful smile" and said she "always showed a genuine interest in everyone she met". Another spoke of the bond between her and her husband, saying the couple "lived a wonderful, fulfilling life together", and adding: "There is comfort in knowing they were not parted for long."
Funeral arrangements
Teresa will repose at her home in Mullinary, Carrickmacross, on Wednesday 21 October from 2pm to 8pm. The family has asked that the house be kept strictly private at all other times.
On Thursday 22 October, the funeral cortège will leave the house at 10.30am and go on foot to St Joseph's Church, Carrickmacross, for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial will follow in St Mary's Cemetery, Mullaghbane, Co Armagh.
The family has asked for family flowers only. The Mass can be watched online through the church link on CarrickmacrossParish.ie, and condolences can be left on the online death notices.
Monaghan Brief extends its sympathy to the O'Hanlon and Ward families and to all who knew her.
