Scairbh

Na

gCaorach

EMYVALE

Lizzie Farmer R.I.P.

Lizzie Farmer passed peacefully to her eternal reward on the morning of Tuesday, December 8th at her home No 9. Oriel Park, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan. There was a great sadness around North Monaghan, when news of her passing circulated as she was one of the most senior residents and native Emyvale persons, having been born, reared and lived all her life in the village. She was also a very quiet person and a devoted wife, mother and neighbour.

Elizabeth Farmer, nee O’Neill, was born the eldest daughter to Paddy and Margaret O’Neill, nee Kerr, on Main Street, Emyvale in September 1923. Her mother died after giving birth to her eighth child – a boy, who also died at birth. Lizzie was only approaching 12 years of age and at national school at the time but had to give up her schooling to take over the duties of mother and assist her father to rear her brothers and sister – (Teesie, Kathleen, Tommy, Kevin, Eddie, and Paddy Jnr). This she did with great commitment in a home, which was a very busy household.

The O’Neill house was a Ceili-house, where people gathered to chat, hear the news and discuss current problems. It was also a Barber Shop on Saturday evenings and nights when Joe Fields would arrive to cut hair. In Summer time this was done in an open shed at the rear but in the shorter days and colder evenings the Kitchen inside was used. It was not only those who needed haircuts who gathered but others came too, knowing that there would be good banter, laughter and discussion. The kettle was always boiling on the Range and tea with home-made bread was on offer to all takers. It was also the first private dwelling in the village to get TV and this was an added attraction for people to gather there. On Saturday evenings at 5pm a number of young lads used gather in to watch ‘The Lone Ranger’.

There were a number of other young families on Main Street at the time and as was normal in a small village – everyone knew everyone else. There is no doubt that, at a very early age, Lizzie got to know Pat Farmer, who lived with his family towards the top of the Street. She and Pat would have walked with the other children, often bare-footed, to Corracrin National School. She also became a great friend to Mrs. Hughes, who lived next door to her and who helped her when she needed assistance and this friendship was to endure for their lifetimes.

Pat Farmer became a Barman and spent many years serving in the Shamrock Bar in Dublin Street, Monaghan, and in a couple of other established Bars over the years. The childhood friendship with Lizzie blossomed into love and they became inseparable and married in October 1945. At first they lived in the O’Neill house but then moved to the Farmer home up the street. However when the ‘New Houses Estate’, now Oriel Park, was completed in the early 50’s they applied for and were allocated house No. 9. This house was specifically requested by Lizzie as Mrs. Hughes was moving to the house next door and they were going to continue to be next-door neighbours. As a matter of fact Lizzie became the unofficial carer for Mrs. Hughes in her final years and in turn Marie Kerr, nee Hughes, helped to care for Lizzie prior to her death. It is a great example of good neighbourliness and Christian living, which was a wonderful feature of Irish life but now fading.

Pat and Lizzie had six surviving children – Sean, Eamonn, Margaret, Patricia, Ciaran and Gerard. Pat was the bread-winner and Lizzie now dedicated herself to raising her own family and they passed on the great virtues they both possessed. Their faith was very strong and the daily rosary was a must in the home. Lizzie always placed herself in God’s care with her prayer and gained solace from her faith.  At her funeral Mass, Celebrant, Fr. Marin, described her as a great wife and mother and her children would say that she was always there for them and always had good food for them when they arrived home. She was a great cook and housekeeper. She looked after the inside of the house while Pat looked after the outside.

Chatting to neighbours and going to Bingo once or twice a week were her outlets. She was a quiet lady but in company she could display her quick wit, no doubt something she picked up as she listened to the banter while she tended house in her early years. She and Pat were always together and they could be seen heading off on Sunday, or any other day, for a ‘spin’ in the car. They loved to sit and watch the world go by and they both loved scenery. They would call into chapels along the way to say a wee prayer. They visited friends and neighbours and called in hospitals to visit those who were sick. Holidays were spent with relatives in Newry and often with the McCormacks in Kildare. This family originally owned a Bar in Emyvale and Pat would have helped out there in his time. They established a friendship, which endured after the McCormacks sold to the late Eoin McMahon and moved to Kildare. Members of the McCormack family provided much of the sacred music and hymns during Lizzie’s Requiem Mass.

Lizzie’s health deteriorated a few years ago and she was hospitalised on a number of occasions. However in recent times it improved noticeably and she was in great form again. Pat then had a health set back and has been resident in Oriel House, Monaghan, for recuperation. The family looked after Lizzie at home and brought her almost daily to visit Pat. Recently the family organised a party for Pat’s birthday and also to celebrate their 64th Wedding Anniversary. Both Pat and Lizzie enjoyed the occasion. However on Tuesday morning, December 8th , after receiving her morning care from Marie and members of the family, Lizzie just passed away peacefully and unannounced. It was a big shock to Pat and to her children and her neighbours.

Thankfully Pat was able to come home for the wake and the funeral liturgy. There was a constant stream of callers to the house to pay their respects and offer their sympathies. On Wednesday evening Lizzie’s remains were brought to St. Patrick’s, Corracrin, where they were received by Fr. Brendan Ward. Fr. Martin was Celebrant for the Requiem Mass on Thursday morning and members of the family participated in the Liturgy. Members of local choirs joined members of the McCormack family in providing the music and hymns and psalmist was Kevin McCormack. A huge crowd attended and again this was indicative of the esteem with which the O’Neill and Farmer families are held in the community. Lizzie was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery after the Mass.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Pat; to their children – Sean, Eamonn, Margaret, Patricia, Ciaran and Gerard; to her sisters – Teesie and Kathleen; to her in-laws; to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews; to her relatives and dear friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam naofa.