Millstreet.ie

Betty Maher was held in the highest regard
There was deep and genuine sadness at both sides of the parish following the death of Mrs Betty Maher, Ballylean, Ballon, which took place at the Mater Hospital, Dublin on Wednesday, November 30 following a lengthy illness. Aged 76 years, Betty was on the teaching staff in Rathoe National School for 29 years before her retirement in 2000. Prior to that she taught in Kilquiggan, County Wicklow for 17 years.
A native of Millstreet, County Cork she married Dick Maher in 1965 and the couple had five children, Jimmy, Margie, Dinny, Joanie and Richie. Her family and her teaching were her main interests in life but she still found time for her favourite hobbies of reading, card playing and gardening as well as helping out on the family farm.
Despite being ‘exiled’ from Cork for close on 50 years she never lost her Cork accent or her love for her native county especially when they were involved in hurling or football. She had a great sense of humour and wit, was an accomplished storyteller often relating hilarious tales of school days, over-important inspectors, principals or Parish Priests. She was, above all, a good and kind neighbour and friend.
Her remains reposed in Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on the evening following her death and burial took place in Ballon cemetery after Requiem Mass, con-celebrated by Rev Edward Whelan PE, Rev Brendan Howard PP and Rev Tom Little PP Bennekerry, on Friday, 2 December.
Betty is mourned by her husband, Dick, daughters, Margie Killeen (USA) and Joanie Feeney (Laragh); sons, Jimmy (Galway), Dinny (Ballylean) and Richie (USA); daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren; brother, John; sister, Noreen, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews and nieces as well as other relatives and friends.

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The above piece on Betty appeared on the Ballon Village website.