Bernadette Brennan remembered with immense love and gratitude by Narraghmore community
The late Bernadette Brennan
AS the family of Bernadette Brennan (née Murphy) marked the first anniversary of her death yesterday (Monday), they remember a much-cherished mother, grandmother and friend with immense love and gratitude.
Beloved wife of the late Jim and born on 4 March 1945, Bernadette grew up on a farm in Coltstown, Castledermot. One of seven children, she played her part in family life, helping with the many small jobs that came with growing up on a farm. It was during those early years that she developed a deep and lasting love of farming and country life.
After secondary school, Bernadette answered a calling to care for others, training as a nurse at Jervis Street Hospital in Dublin. She always remembered those student nursing days with great fondness, the friendships formed, the camaraderie and, in between the hard work and long hours, the great fun and laughter they shared together.
In 1970, Bernadette married James Brennan and together they began a new chapter of their lives in Narraghmore. It was there that they built their home and raised five children â Gerard, Rhona, Gavin, Lorna and Aoife. It was a busy and fulfilling time, centred around family, and Bernadette approached it all with the energy, warmth and determination that were so characteristic of her.
Alongside raising her family, Bernadette served the local community as a public health nurse, a role that reflected her natural instinct to care for others. After nursing she brought that same drive and commitment to life as a keen businesswoman. Whatever she turned her hand to, Bernadette brought a strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to doing things well, setting a standard of excellence in everything she did.
In her later years, Bernadette made her home in Redgap, Rathcoole, where she embraced one of her most treasured roles, that of grandmother. A loving and inspirational presence in the lives of her grandchildren, she took enormous pride and joy in watching them grow, always there with encouragement, guidance and unwavering support. Family remained at the very heart of her life. She was a deeply loved grandmother to Sarah, Emily, Myles, Maddie, Luke, James, Rachel, Niamh, Sean, Amelia and Charlotte.
A year has passed since her passing and her absence is felt in so many parts of her family’s everyday lives. They miss her gentle guidance, nurturing spirit, wisdom and the quiet comfort of simply having her there.
Yet alongside the sadness, they are deeply grateful for the memories she gave them and for the love, strength and values she instilled. Her influence lives on in each of them, in the stories they share, the traditions they continue and the many small ways they are reminded of her every day.
Late of Lipstown, Narraghmore, Co Kildare and previously of Redgap, Rathcoole, Co Dublin and Coltstown, Castledermot, Bernadette is mourned by her children and grandchildren. She is also remembered by her brother Seamus and sisters Monica and Brenda. She was predeceased by her husband James, parents James and Ann, her brother Tommy and sisters Mary, Ann and Angela.
Bernadette’s anniversary Mass is on Saturday 19 September at 7pm in the Church of St Mary and Laurence, Crookstown, Co Kildare.
