Tribute: Fond memories of Longford lady in her 104th year who ran a successful pub and grocery business in Drumlish for a lifetime

The death occurred peacefully, in her 104th year, in the loving care of the staff of Our Lady’s Manor Nursing home, Edgeworthstown, Longford on Saturday, November 2 of Ethna Burbage (née Morgan), Drumlish, Longford. 

Predeceased by her husband Michael and her brother Seamus Morgan (Clones), Ethna will be sadly missed by her daughters, Mary Nolan (Bray), Patricia Lennon (Drumlish), Aine McGrath (Dublin) and Dympna Walsh (Athlone), her sons-in-law Anthony, Sean, John & Willie, her grandchildren Kevin, Susan, Ciaran, Orla, Triona, Aoife, Roisin and Patrick, her great grandchildren, her nephews and nieces.

The death of Mrs Burbage, Drumlish, brought to an end a long and wholesome life and undoubtedly resurrected long-lost memories for many, yours truly included.

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She, along with her late husband, Michael (known locally as Mikey), ran a successful pub and grocery business in Drumlish for a lifetime, serving the surrounding community. 

With the sad news of Mrs Burbage’s passing, images came back to me as a young lad ‘going down to Burbages for the shopping’ on a Saturday morning, a welcome outing and a nice break from other much more mundane weekend chores at home.

Mrs Burbage, a dignified lady with a pleasant demeanour was always friendly, which was a wonderful boost to this young lad trying to navigate the world!

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She was blessed with a nice air of calm and she had natural people skills long before the expression became current.

Later on I recall many Sunday nights in their intimate lounge bar with Mrs Burbage playing the keyboards, accompanying disparate, but eager ‘singers’ from among her customers.

Ah, they were nice times and wonderful to look back on!

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The members of the Longford Association extend our deepest sympathy to Mrs Burbage’s daughters Mary Nolan, Patricia Lennon, Aine McGrath and Dympna Walsh, extended family, relatives and many friends. 

Ethna's Funeral Mass took place in St Mary’s Church, Drumlish on Monday, December 4, with burial afterwards in the new cemetery.

May she Rest In Peace.