Maire Tschabold, native of Gainstown, dies in Galway, in her 103rd year

The death occurred of Maire Tschabold at her residence in Knocknacarra, County Galway on Friday 23 January last, in her 103rd year. Maire was born Maire O’Donoghue on May 25, 1923 in Gainstown, Mullingar, to Laurence and Annie O’Donoghue, the second child of five siblings, Cathal, Ned, Catherine, Joe and Gabrielle. She attended Gainstown National School.

Her parents moved to 42 Mount Street, Mullingar, where her father owned a gun shop and sold fishing tackle requirements.

Maire went to London to study nursing. World War II started and she returned to Mullingar and later finished her nursing in Dublin. She moved back to London and it was there she met her husband, Ludwig Tschabold, and they married in Mullingar on June 1, 1955. They lived in Switzerland for a time and then came back to Dublin, to Rathgar, where her son Brendan was born in 1964.

After two years, they moved to Zurich until Ludwig’s death in October 2003. After that, Maire decided to return to Ireland, to Knocknacarra, where they had bought a house.

Maire played golf, did art and went on holidays as often as she could. Whenever she went to see her son Brendan in Switzerland, she always said that wasn’t a holiday, it was out of duty, and she visited him a couple of times a year, especially when Brendan and Irene had a son, Sean. It gave her great pleasure to visit her grandson.

In the last couple of years, Sean came over and took her back with him for a week to two.

Maire was a well travelled person and lived through World War II, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and everything in between. She witnessed many changes in Ireland, from rural electrification, to the many new shopping malls, mobile phones and the internet.

Maire went into a nursing home when she was 96 for respite, but after a night there, she decided it wasn’t for her, so she got a taxi and left. She was so delighted to get back to her own house and chair, and there she remained until her death.

She had daily help there and also a lady stayed with her 24/7, which was of great assistance to her. Brendan visited every three weeks, and he was there when she passed.

Maire’s funeral Mass was in St John the Apostle Church, Knocknacarra, where Fr Tadhg Quinn gave her a good sendoff. He knew Maire for 20 years and spoke fondly of her and the fact that he knew her was so personal for the family. She was cremated and her ashes are buried in Meedin with her husband Ludwig, and Fr William Coleman conducted a lovely ceremony there.

Marie is survived by her son Brendan, her daughter-in-law Irene, and grandson Sean, and nephews, nieces and cousins and is remembered by her neighbours.