THERE
was a very special celebration at St Mary’s Hospital in Phoenix Park recently
when resident Nora Ward was joined by family, friends and staff to mark her
100th birthday.
Nora
was born in 1911 in Dundalk but lived in Donegal for many years. She’s an only child and her best friend as a
small child was a deaf, white cat. Her love of cats remained with her
throughout her life.
Education
was very important to Nora and she has a great love of literature. She was a
civil servant until she married, had six children and was sadly widowed very
young.
More
than 50 years ago, she returned to work in the Department of Education and
retired at the age of 60. Nora continued to look after others by volunteering
in a homeless women’s hostel for the next 17 years.
Unit
Manager at St Mary’s, Alicia McCabe, who had the honour of presenting Nora with
the President’s letter and cheque spoke highly of the likeable centenarian.
“Nora
is a true lady, a person of few words, so gentle and so generous to those in
need and as she says
‘my needs are simple’,
? she said.
“She
continues to be an inspiration to all who come into contact with her.
?