Death occurs of Cavan centenarian

She celebrated her 105th birthday just before Christmas.

The death has occurred of Anna (Annie) McEnroe (née O’Reilly), a native of Rose Hill, Mullagh, Co. Cavan, in her 106th year.

She died at her home at Cushinstown, Dunboyne, Co. Meath on Thursday, May 22, peacefully at home surrounded by her family

Her late husband, John, died in May last year, just ten days short of his 99th birthday.

She celebrated her 105th birthday just before Christmas last, and was reportedly hale and hearty up until about three weeks ago.

Anna, who lived in her own home with help from a full-time carer, attended mass in Dunboyne on Easter Sunday with her son Sean.

She received letters from President Michael D Higgins and Tanaiste Micheal Martin to mark her 105th birthday.

She also received a medal from President Higgins, presented to centenarians each year they mark another birthday.

Born December 22, 1919, from a large family known as The Jontys, as a young girl Anna worked at home on the family farm and went to school in the village. She worked hard on the farm and on the bog and her brother, the late Tommy O'Reilly, was a founding member of the Mullagh and Navan co-ops.

Anna emigrated to England after World War II, and worked in a doctors office. She met her husband John McEnroe, originally from Munterconnaught, and they were married in 1960.

They moved back to Ireland in 1962 and settled in Dunboyne.

Anna and John had one son, Sean, who is married to Mandy and they have two sons, Aaron and Darragh.

On moving to Dunboyne, Anna soon became very active in her adopted home - she joined the local branch of the ICA and later became president of the Dunboyne branch.

When Fr O’Reilly started the social services in Dunboyne, Anna, became involved in the Meals-on-Wheels where she continued cooking and coordinating until she was 90 years of age.

She was a member of the Dunboyne Flower Club and the Dunboyne Retirement Group and loved to spend time in the garden. In recent years she switched on the Dunboyne Christmas lights and along with John the couple were Grand Marshals of the local St Patrick's Day parade.

She previously offered no real recipe for long life, having never smoked and enjoying only an occasional glass of whiskey.

She was known to be a fantastic cook and regularly used fresh vegetables from the garden.

Anna did great work for her local community- which led to her receiving the Benemerenti medal from Pope Benedict XVI in 2011. It was presented to her by now Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell.

Anna is survived by her son Sean, grandchildren Darragh and Aaron, sister Ita, daughter-in-law Mandy, Kathleen, extended O’Reilly family, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Her remains will repose at her home on Sunday afternoon (May 25) from 2pm. The removal will take place to SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Dunboyne on Monday morning (May 26) arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in the New Rooske Cemetery.