Imelda Hanrahan

A life well lived

On September 7th, 2024, we lost our dear mother, Imelda. She led a long and happy life, and was an inspiration to us all in her defiance of age and her endless strength. Her life was not an easy one, but it was always buoyed by love, respect, and a keen sense of humour. 

Born to Christopher and Marion, she was the middle child of three. Her early years were punctuated by war-time challenges that included being displaced from her home, temporary emigration to England (where she witnessed the bombings firsthand), and frequent challenges to simply put food on the table. Her family was not rich. Tragically, she lost both parents to separate illnesses at an early age, leaving the three siblings to fend for themselves. With the tender love of their extended family, all three prospered in different ways - finding love and happiness while holding each others' hands on life's winding journey.

While she never received a formal education of worth, she was indeed an educated lady, having devoured hundreds of books and countless hours of documentary TV. She could hold her own with the most learned of her generation!

Our dad, Sean was her life's love. Together, they basked in the adventures of parenthood, home ownership, long walks, and trips to Ballybunion. All three of us remember fondly the seemingly sun-drenched beach days, the smiles, the laughter, and the "I love you's" before bedtime. She and Dad gave us the security blanket that has stood the test of time - a blanket that we strive to pass along to our own kids and grandchildren today. It was an exceptionally happy childhood.

Security was rocked by Dad's untimely passing. During Dad's illness, Mam showed her true strength - a strength that unfortunately would be disproportionately called into play soon thereafter. It was cruel that she would lose her dear younger brother, Bernard and soon thereafter, her older sister, Patsy. Our mother loved a lot, and lost a lot. We sometimes wished she didn't have to lose so much and to be so strong.

In later years, she heroically adapted to life "on her own" - even though she was never truly alone. Much to the terror of the motorist community, she learned to drive. She learned to adapt to her newly adopted hometown, Dublin. She learned to be a grandmother to ten, and a great-grandmother to seven. She learned to age with grace, dignity, and resolve. Again, she was a role model for us all.

We would like to thank Earlsbrook Nursing Home in Bray for their tender care for our mother. We want to thank the extended O'Carroll and Hanrahan families for their never ending love. And we want to thank our mother for being strong, for being intelligent, and for being funny - all in perfect measures.

Dermot, Maeve, Kevin