May 2008
Death of Longford’s oldest citizen
There was an expression of sadness around north Longford earlier this month with the death of one of Longford’s oldest citizen’s Ms Mary Anne Cosgrove.
In her 107th year Mary Anne passed away peacefully in her native Moyne surrounded by her loving family.
Born on July 26 1901 in Berinagh, Moyne, Co Longford, Mary Anne was the middle child in a family of three siblings. She had an older brother and a younger sister. She attended the local national school for a number of years and later left, as was the norm at that time, and became a stalwart in the Cosgrove house, looking after the other family members and becoming a dressmaker.
Mary Anne had great faith and she loved to pray, most especially the Rosary and she was well known in north Longford for her devotion to St Martin. She had a wonderful memory and was always very aware of everything that was going on around her.
In 1979 Mary Anne Cosgrove went to live with her sister, Maggie Kiernan, in Mullinalaghta and there she remained for over twenty years living quietly and happily and only a stone’s throw away from her native Dromard.
Seven years ago she moved back to Moyne, to live with her nephew and niece in law.
Described as a lady, the pleasant Mary Anne, lived out her final years with contentment and peace and her wonderful memory stayed with her until her last day.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
Ireland's Oldest People 