Longford mourns beloved librarian who possessed an amazing zest for life

Of late, sadness has continued to engulf our community and the past week was no different when we learned of the death at the Mater Hospital, Dublin on Monday, March 25 of Stella O’Sullivan, Gurteengar, Lanesboro, Co Longford following a relatively short illness.

Stella was predeceased by her parents Tony and Tess Murphy, The Green.

Stella, following in the footsteps of her mother Tess, was librarian with Longford County library and spent many years as our most beloved librarian in Lanesboro.

She was a lady that loved life and you had to spend only a short time in her company to realise her amazing zest for life.

She loved music and especially going to concerts and music events whether with Brendan, family or friends.

Stella was very arty and creative and had a particular skill in crocheting.

The library was the ideal job for Stella, not that she ever seen it as a job rather a love.

She had a love of the sea and in especially going to Strandhill in County Sligo. She had that innate love of interacting with people and especially young people.

Despite the Covid pandemic she did not allow it to interfere with her duty as librarian, leaving bag after bag of books into O’Brien’s for collection or she would record a reading for people.

She was an amazing lady that was loved and appreciated by everyone in our community and that was clear to be seen by the outpouring of grief at the reposing of her remains and Funeral Mass.

Stella will be greatly and sadly missed by everyone that had the pleasure to know her.

Stella’s remains reposed at her residence on Wednesday, March 27 and was removed to St Mary’s Church on Thursday for her Funeral service. A private cremation took place in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan afterwards. 

To her husband, Brendan, daughters Amy and Lara, son Danny, sisters Eithne and Claire, brother Oliver, granddaughter Cadhla, son in law Brian, brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews, cousins and many wonderful friends, we extend our heartfelt sympathy.