Leitrim's Margaret Mollaghan lived a long and adventurous life

Margaret (nee Gallagher) Mollaghan July 18, 1933 – February 13, 2017

Margaret was born in the village of Fenagh, Co Leitrim on July 18, 1933 to Margaret (nee Maguire) and Patrick Gallagher. She was the sixth of seven children, named after her mother. Two brothers died at birth. Her siblings were Mary, Lil, Rose and brother, John, the youngest child.

Her father, Patrick , died at the age of 59 as a result of a horse accident when Margaret was 4 years old. She felt the loss of her father very deeply throughout her life.

Her mother was left to raise 5 children and manage a farm and received help from her brothers in Leitrim and Sligo.

At the age of 16, Margaret immigrated to England, living in Manchester as an au pair and later working in a factory. She returned to Ireland when her mother became ill and looked after her until her death. Margaret was 21 years old. Her two older sisters were married in Ireland and her sister Rose and John had already immigrated to the United States settling in the Bronx, NY.

Following the death of her mother, Margaret returned to England for a short time and then set sail for America to join her sister Rose and brother John.

Margaret went to work at the A&P supermarket chain in Upper Manhattan and worked in the meat department. She was always very particular about the cuts and quality of meat and poultry from then onwards.

She lived with her sister, Rose and brother-in-law, Frank in their apartment on Walton Avenue in the Bronx. Unbeknownst to Margaret, she would eventually marry their lodger, Patrick Mollaghan from Drumlish, Co Longford.

Margaret enjoyed dancing in those days and would regularly attend dances at the Jaeger House on 85th Street in Manhattan with her girlfriends, Mary from Monaghan, Frances and Betty. Mary and Margaret remained friends throughout her life.

Margaret and Patrick Mollaghan were engaged on Valentine's Day 1958 and married on August 18, 1958 at St Simon Stock Church in the Bronx. Their reception for 300 friends took place at the Astoria Manor followed by a honeymoon in Niagara Falls.

Margaret and Paddy, as he was known, lived at 2246 Walton Avenue for 3 years and upon the birth of their third child and first son, moved to Silver beach in the Bronx in 1962. Two more children followed and in June of 1965, Margaret and Paddy relocated to Dunmont, NJ with 5 children.

In August 1971, Margaret, Paddy and family returned to Ireland, settling in Templeogue, Dublin. The following year, another daughter joined the family followed by seventh child, a second son in August 1978.

Margaret and the family made many trips over the years to Sligo where her sister, Lil and her husband , Padraig lived as farmers in Strandhill. Lil is still farming today and will be 90 years old in June this year! Enroute, the family would stop and spend time in Longford where Paddy's brother and sister lived as well as annual trips to Fenagh to visit friends and the graveyard. These trips were affectionately called the pilgrimages.

In 1985, Margaret and Paddy moved to Athlone, Co Westmeath and were publicans for 3 years. It had always been Paddy's life long ambition to be a publican. The work was relentless and they decided to re-emigrate to NY with the two youngest children in May 1988 where three of their seven children were working and living.

Margaret and Paddy lived in Mamaroneck , NY until the passing of Paddy in January 1997.

After Paddy's passing , Margaret spent a lot of time travelling to Ireland, England where her daughters lived and San Diego to be near her sister, Rose and to enjoy the California weather!

Rose and Margaret lived in the same apartment complex and enjoyed each other's company whether it was riding their bikes around Lake Murray, entertaining friends or going to adoration at St Therese. The ladies also enjoyed many trips to Ireland together. These years were fondly referred to as the 'Golden Girls' era.

Sadly Rose was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in November of 2011 and returned to new York to reside in a nursing home close to three of her four daughters.

Margaret missed Rose so much. She had lost her best buddy.

In June 2015 Margaret underwent a heart valve replacement at the age of 80. She then developed a lung condition and this condition coupled with the stenosis of the heart, began the decline of her energy and zest for life.

More recently, Margaret had to manage oxygen 24/7 and this along with the other complications in her health lead to her inability to live independently in San Diego where she had no immediate family except for her niece, Colleen and her husband Gonzolo who, since Margaret's relocation to San Diego 18 years previous , had been exceptionally loving and supportive.

Margaret relocated to Red Bluff to be near her daughter, Sheila at the end of December 2016. Margaret still wanted her independence and not to be a bother to anyone, so Sheila found an Independent living facility close by. Margaret moved in on January 3 of this year, but sadly, her health went into a dramatic decline.

Margaret's last day on this earth was spent with her daughter, Sheila, her partner, Rob and Pearl, the dog having her favourite Irish tea in the warmth of the sunshine and enjoying a spaghetti bolognese dinner. Sheila and Rob had been with Margaret every day since the end of December trying to ensure Margaret's comfort and medical needs.

Margaret passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on the morning of February 13, 2017. Margaret is predeceased by her husband Paddy Mollaghan, her sister Mary and survived by her sisters Lil and Rose, brother John, 7 children and 11 grandchildren.She was a great lady and a loving mother and grandmother. Funeral mass took place in St Mary's Church, Drumlish on March 10. 

May she rest in eternal peace. Amen