Sadness as Limerick minister’s ‘wonderful’ mother passes away

MINISTER Patrick O’Donovan’s “wonderful and hard-working” mother, Nellie, will be laid to rest this Wednesday after she passed away peacefully at home on Monday.

Nellie O'Donovan (née King), aged 83, of Churchtown Road, Newcastle West and formerly of Drawlin, Bruree went to her God while surrounded by her loved ones.

Cllr Stephen Keary, whose daughter Eileen is married to Minister O’Donovan, said Mrs O’Donovan was a “wonderful mother”.

“She was a very strong lady - she had her own opinions. She was a wonderful mother to her children and loved her grandchildren dearly. They brought her great joy.

“She was very hard-working and worked tirelessly, both herself and her husband John, for their family to put them through college. That was in their genes. She will be sadly, sadly missed,” said Cllr Keary.

John and Nellie O’Donovan raised six children - Joan, Miriam, Jerry, Stephen, John and Patrick. Mr O’Donovan died 11 years ago on May 15, almost to the day that his beloved wife passed away.

Cllr Keary said Mrs O’Donovan was very proud of all her children’s achievements. Despite being in ill health for a number of months she lived to see Patrick being named a minister in Cabinet.

“She was very proud of him and all his achievements to date,” said Cllr Keary.

After being appointed minister of Further and Higher Education, Patrick O’Donovan told the Limerick Leader  the biggest motivation his parents had in their lives was the education of their children “because it was something that they never had”.

“When we were young and going to school it was all about work, work, work for them to be able to afford to give us the opportunity to go to third level or do your best in a trade that is going to get you a qualification to stay in the country and rear a family.

"That’s the biggest gift I think you can give anybody. In their day you didn’t even get to second level,” said Mr O’Donovan.

He shared the photograph above with his mum and dad on his social media six months ago.

He wrote: "I walk passed this picture everyday of mam, dad and myself coming into my office. But this morning I realised it was taken just over twenty years ago in the Devon Inn October 2003 the night before I first became a member of Limerick County Council.

"A lot has changed since then, dad is no longer with us, I’ve my own family now and the hair is greying but I’m still as proud now as I was then to be their son and to be a public representative here in Limerick."

Mrs O’Donovan is survived by her daughters Joan and Miriam, sons Jerry, Stephen, John and Patrick, brother Jerry (Chicago) grandchildren, great-granddaughter, daughters-in-law; Geraldine (O’Connor), Anne-Marie (Downes), Hilary (O’Farrell), Eileen (Keary), sons-in-law; John (O’Callaghan), Mike (Burke), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, and a wide circle of friends and carers. She is predeceased by her husband John, parents, sister Lil and brothers Jack and Patsy. 

Reposing at her home at Churchtown Road, Newcastle West (V42 NY99), this Tuesday, May 14, from 6pm to 8pm. Arrival at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West, on Wednesday, May 15, for 2pm requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle West.

May she rest in peace.