A tribute to my Nana

My Nana died on Friday at about 3am. She'd been sick for a long long time but it was quick at the end. My Mam was with her.

Nana was the grandparent I had the closest relationship with. She was the one who lasted until I had completed my 3rd decade (or nearly so) on this earth. I was her eldest grandchild and I was always her 'little O'. I was always special. I was the one she remembered the longest of the grandchildren.

She worked hard from what I can remember - a farmer's wife in Ireland in the last century did not have what would be considered an easy life, but there was always food on the table and enough money for grandad to have a pint in Ennis when he went in. There were always biccies and cake in the press. There were always calves in the field and fresh milk and cows to play with and bulls to avoid and the veg patch to tend to.........

There were meadows and fields around to play in and get lost in, sheep to be counted and country roads to wander down.

A special treat was going into town with nana. She'd be pottering about the local town and getting her bits and pieces - and I was always introduced as 'Mary's eldest, our little O'.When we went to town, I'd always get a Cadbury's Dairy Milk or an icecream - from the fridge, not the machine. And more often than not, get the chocolate all down my front as well.

In later years, I drove her to town to see people, and take her for a brandy or a whiskey in the snug or maybe even lunch if i was feeling flush. I remember on one occasion Mam took us both to Doolin for an evening with dancing and music and nana looked so young and happy.

She hated me wearing jeans and Docs - as a teenager I lived in them - and of course what did Nana know about fashion. As I grew older I'd like to think she appreciate my developing dress sense!! She herself never wore trousers - they were mens clothes, and not for her. She always preferred Mam and I in dresses or skirts - so that's what we wore to the funeral.

In the last few years, her mind started wandering. She was getting old and had Parkinsons and wasn't able to get out of bed. The nurses in the home she was in were so good to her and so patient - talking to her was difficult, especially since she was prone to cmoing out with truths it was normally considered more polite to not voice. But as an old woman she had the right to say what she thought I suppose.

I miss her so much. Visits home just won't be the same not seeing her and not listening to her talk.

Maureen McKey (neé Hynes) 1922 - 2010