A VERY special lady celebrated her 100th birthday last Saturday at Raheen Community Hospital, where she has been a popular and cherished resident for the past three years.
Peggy Tuohy (née Smyth) was born in Cleaveland, Ohio, where she spent the first six years of her life. When her family returned to Ireland, they lived in Kilbarroe and Peggy attended national school in Feakle and later Annaghneal. The eldest of seven siblings, Peggy went on to study home economics in agricultural school in Portumna, while also helping her mother to look after the family.
Peggy worked in Dublin for a time as a carer for an older person before she met and married her husband Frank. The couple had six children Helen, Marie, Harry, Fergal, Gerard and Deirdre and Frank passed away in 1998. Three of Peggy’s children live in America, and she has 13 grandchildren 13 great grandchildren and one great great grand child.
Frank was a farmer so they farmed together in Rossanure all of their lives. Peggy did the milking feeding calves, cared for the hens, pigs, a pony and a work horse.
Peggy loved to travel especially to the USA which she did on several occasions, visiting New York, Florida, Washington. Her favourite visits were to see the White House, the Statue of Liberty and Arlington Cemetery. Peggy also returned to her birthplace and saw the church where she was baptised in Cleveland. A seasoned traveller, she has also visited Niagara Falls.
Peggy lists her special memories as feeding the hens, taking milk to the creamery, school, dancing at the crossroads and raising her family. Her hobbies included knitting and dressmaking. She loves traditional music, some country music, as well as bingo, mass, story-telling and drama. Peggys many friends and staff at the community hospital in Tuamgraney say that to this day, Peggy has a great sense of style.
“She’s a very glamorous lady and a fabulous lady,” said Clinical Nurse Manager, Christina McKenna. “She’s very energetic and a wonderful person and now, like all the residents, she’s fully vaccinated and delighted with that.”
Peggy herself told The Champion she was delighted with her 100th birthday party and thanked everyone for their good wishes. “I paid no heed really to my age, it just crept up,” she said.