Mary McCartan
1927 – 2020

Mary was born on 20th May 1927 in the Clare and was the 3rd of 5 children to Paddy and Mary Maguire. (Jim, Kathleen, Mary, Mickey and Nora)

She attended Bann Primary School and, left handed as a child, she had her hand tied behind her back but, typical of Mary, she resisted it and remained left handed for the rest of her life.

After leaving school she obtained employment in Brookfield in Banbridge.

Mary met her husband Larry McCartan at a dance in Ballyvarley Hall and, apparently, he brought her home on a bike! They married on 21^st September 1948, in this Church, and honeymooned in Bray.

Their first home was in Lisnafiffy when their first child, Dominick, was born in 1949. They then moved to Kernan where Malachy was born in 1950 before they moved to a farm on the Springvale Road where Laurence, Vivienne and Gabriel were born. Larry and Mary used to take the children to the old railway line for picnics. The family then moved to Miller Park in 1967 and Mary continued to live there until she moved to Iveagh Nursing Home just over 4 years ago.
Mary had many jobs in her life time. Herself and Larry owned a mobile shop before establishing a shop in Miller Park where Mary enjoyed working. She also worked as housekeeper in Millmount House, Banbridge and as a carer for an elderly lady in Donacloney and some neighbours in Miller Park. She worked as a nanny for a family in Seapatrick and she also worked in Gilford Mayfair factory.
McCartan’s house was always full with visitors and there was always a bed for anyone who needed it, even if it meant her own children had to vacate their own bed! Education was important to Mary and she ensured her children all had a good education. Proud of the achievements of her children and grandchildren, she liked to cut out photos etc from papers and stick them on the fridge. As the family would verify, their mother would say: ‘I love all my children …. but Dominick’s my favourite’!! or ‘I’ve no favourites, but there’s something special about Dominick!’

Mary always took great pride in her appearance. She liked her hair set well; she liked nice clothes and jewellery.

Like her brother Mickey, Mary enjoyed art & loved painting, particularly watercolour birds and flowers. She was a member of Banbridge Art Club.

She loved a game of bingo with Larry and her friends and always supported Larry in his years as a local councilor. Holidays with the family were always great, from Greece to Killarney and Donegal but she also enjoyed visits to Kernan Lough and loved being in the middle of gatherings. Sundays was the day to go out for a drive, even after she became a resident in Iveagh.

When Larry died suddenly in February 1997, Mary’s neighbours in Miller Park were very good to her and continued to be so until she could no longer stay at home. Her sister in law Myrtle lived next door and went in to her every night.

Faith played a very important part in Mary’s life and she had a particular devotion to Saint Martin.

Mary was a lady with a sharp wit, and that remained to the very end. Writing with her left hand every single night, she kept a diary from the 1950’s until she moved to Iveagh House. What a story that could tell!

Our sympoathy goes to: her children Dominick, Laurence, Vivienne and Gabriel, her sister Nora, her son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.