Family and friends gather to celebrate Sheila's 90th birthday
Anna, Louise, Karen, Sheila, Maria, Leon, Michelle and Paula at Sheila's 90th Photos: Paul Curran
FAMILY and friends recently gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of Sheila Jordan in Carlow town recently.
Sheila (nee McGrath) was born in Mill Lane. Daughter to Tom McGrath and Lil McGrath (nee Finn), Sheila was one of four children all born in Carlow.
Tom worked as a building contractor throughout the county of Carlow along with his son Billy. Lil was a seamstress in her earlier years before taking up the role of wife and mother to her young family and household.
Their first-born Essie tragically passed away as a teenager from meningitis. The heartbroken family bonded together even stronger, honouring her young legacy.
The youngest child, Anne came into the world seven years after Sheila. School for both girls was at the Presentation Convent on Tullow Street. After leaving school in her late teens, Sheila worked initially in Moore’s garage looking after the administration work and processing payments.
Sheila then moved to work in the Carlow bakery (Healy’s) doing similar work in the offices before finally taking up a position at Shirley Motors until retirement.
Sheila married Jim Jordan, a Carlow Rail (CIE) worker in 1958 and they had two daughters Maria and Cynthia. They had a loving marriage and life together in Roncalli Place, until he sadly passed away in 2008.
Sheila has remained positive and busy throughout her long life. Her talents include preparing, baking and icing wedding cakes, which have been on many top tables over the years and making beautiful hand-crafted Christmas and birthday cards for Family and close friends. Sheila is also a long-time member of Askea ICA.
Sheila suggests, there are a number of reasons for living a long life: surrounding yourself with a loving family, including loads of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, close friends, as well as having a hobby or two helps along with a little bit of luck mixed in with a prayer.
The birthday event took place on 5 July in the Seven Oaks. It was a great turnout organised by her family.
