Christopher Roche, the oldest man in Ballymahon, Co. Longford - and a cousin of the late legendary "Roche T" of Mullingar - has died a month short of his 93rd birthday.

The death occurred on May 28 of Bernice Alice Anderson, of Gortanear, Streete. Mrs. Anderson, who was 77, had been ill for some time, but her death, at the Carthage Nursing Home in Mucklagh, Tullamore, was peaceful.A native of Fermoy, Co. Cork, Mrs. Anderson, nee Northridge, moved to Gortanear upon her marriage to her husband, the late James Anderson, who passed on seventeen years ago.A hard-working woman, she grew up on a farm, and loved farm life, and worked alongside on the family's lands at Streete. For many years, she sold potatoes directly door-to-door to households around both Mullingar and Longford.Mrs. Anderson was in good health up to three years ago, and in fact, bought a new car in 2007. Sadly, ill health began to affect her, and she made the move to a nursing home in Castlepollard, before in latter months, moving to Tullamore.Mrs. Anderson is survived by her sons Cecil, Streete; and Norman, Canada; her daughrers Jean (Reid), Scotland; and Freda (Clarke), Ballycumber; as well as by her grandchildren; and by her daughters-in-law, Isobel, who is married to Cecil, and Ruth, who is married to Norman; and her sons-in-law, Trevor Reid and Gordon Clarke.She is also survived by her sisters, Frances Buttimer and Alma Bryan, both living in Cork.The funeral service was held at Glennon's Funeral Home, Ballinalee Road, Longford, where Jack Duncan and Herby Jennings presided over the funeral prayers. Edgar Lowe spoke at the service, and there were prayers from Walter Milligan.The remains were interred in Streete Cemetery.