Bernadette Reddy from Green Road, Carlow – a woman of charitable spirit
RIP
BERNADETTE Reddy (née Fleming), aged 92, of Green Road, Carlow, formerly of Bilboa, Co Carlow and Clara, Co Offaly, passed away at Hillview Nursing Home on 12 February. She is survived by her daughters Barbara, Edel, Áine, Maura and Carmel.
Bernadette was predeceased by her husband John Joe and her siblings Peggy, Maura, Bridgie, Sheila and Pat.
She was born in Clara, Co Offaly on 5 April 1933, one of six children. The family moved to Bilboa and Ber worked for many years as a bookkeeper in Rossmore Collieries. She met and married John Joe and they had five daughters.
After moving to Carlow town, Ber worked for Pollerton Tag sales until her retirement. Ber never lost her love for the hill and its people, but she adjusted to town life.
Ber loved socialising and for many years there were regular card games with friends and neighbours in Green Road. She also organised whist games in College Street and Carpenter’s, raising thousands for charity over the years. As well as card games, she loved bingo, lotto and was a frequent visitor to the slot machines in Tramore.
She enjoyed organising and cooking for American tea parties and cake sales for many years. Her coffee cake and millionaire shortbread were legendary.
Her kindness was well known and because she loved to cook, no-one ever went hungry when they visited Green Road.
Ber was a great knitter and there wasn’t a child or adult who didn’t benefit. As well as knitting for friends and family, she knitted tiny caps for premature babies, another example of her kindness and charitable spirit.
She had strong political views and was a life-long Fianna Fáil supporter; her great hero was de Valera, and woe betide anyone who criticised either the party or Dev. She believed in education, especially for girls and women, knowing that it is the key to their independence and security.
Ber will be missed by all who knew her.
