Mary McGuinness celebrates her 103rd birthday
FERMANAGH can lay claim to fame when it comes to longevity, and none more so than 103-year old Mary McGuinness from Drumlought, Lisnaskea who celebrated her birthday on Friday last.
And, while her daughter, Josie Butler is her main and night-time carer, she lives alone, is mobile and is still able to read the papers, watch television and entertain visitors, her grandchildren and great grandchildren among them.
In previous years, Mary received a card from Buckingham Palace and, this year, she was chuffed to get a medal from President Michael D. Higgins.
This week, Josie spoke to the Herald about a remarkable woman.
“She was born Mary McElroy from Coonian and my late father, James McGuinness came from Monaghan. Her died 15 years ago and since then, and for 35 years before that, my mother has been living in Drumlought.
“It is a big demand, looking after her for, although she is quite good, there needs to be someone with her most of the time. In saying that, she can stay on her own for a couple of hours, although you wouldn’t like to leave her on her own because she’s mobile and could get up and fall.”
Josie usually stays with her mother at night, but the other family members help out when needed.
Apart from Josie, who lives near Lisnaskea, the others are Patricia McMahon, Roslea; Aidan, Irvinestown; Angela McDaid, Scotland; Seamus, Strabane, Philip, Belnaleck and Geraldine Cadden, Clones.
In her earlier years, Mary was a cook and a noted maker of Irish lace.
Her daily routine varies, days she will rise early, other days in the afternoon and, as noted, visitors are always welcomed between reading and television.
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