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Foulksmills woman Biddy (99) lived for family, friends and dancing nights out

The late Biddy Molloy.

New Ross Standard

The death occurred recently of Bridget (Biddy) Molloy, Bryanstown, Foulksmills, in her 100th year.

Born Bridget Bennett in Bryanstown on August 4, 1923, Biddy worked hard on local farms, working on her knees tinning beet and helping out with general chores.

She and her neighbour Aidan Molloy struck up a relationship and were married in Clongeen. They moved into a house her mother left to her at Bryanstown and Biddy continued working, digging potatoes, often alongside Aidan.

They went on to have five children, Willie, Edno, Tony, Esther and Paul whom they adored.

Biddy devoted herself to raising her children. She took to baking and was well known for her brown bread and flour bread on an open fire using a pot.

A homebird, she loved visits from family. Her social outlet was dances in Carrig on Bannow, Taghmon, Wellingtonbridge and Adamstown. Up until she turned 50 she enjoyed smoking and the occasional drink but gave up both when she reached the half century mark; something her family attributes her excellent health well into her nineties to.

Remarkably, she continued attending dances until she was well into her 99th year.

Biddy had a wonderfully warm personality and was a great listener, offering good advice, especially to young people.

When Aidan died in 2003 she devoted herself to her family, minding her daughter’s children and neighbour’s children also.

Biddy enjoyed her life and went on several hotel breaks around Ireland with Esther.

She was very close with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Throughout her life Biddy helped a lot of people in small but important ways and is deeply missed and fondly remembered within her community for doing so.

A large crowd attended Biddy’s funeral mass at St Aidan’s Church in Clongeen where gifts representing her life were brought before the altar, including her baking spoon and dancing shoes.

She was laid to rest afterwards with Aidan in the New Cemetery, Clongeen.

Biddy is sadly missed by her loving sons, daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

May she rest in peace