Two high achieving, Castleisland born sisters from Camp Road remarkably died on the same day on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday last.
Monica Prendiville, (88) nee O’Mahony, Glenlaharn, Cordal was a former National President of the Irish Country Women’s Association – a post she held with distinction from 1991 to 1994.
Her older sister Rosalie O’Mahony, (91) left Camp Road for the USA in 1952. She became a Professor of Mathematics at the College of San Mateo where she taught for many years and she held a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California.
But it was in the world of politics and city administration that she really made a name for herself over there.
Never Took Expenses
One of her local newspapers, The Mercury News, in her adopted city of Burlingame, California began a look-back at her 20 year stint from 1989 to 2009 as a member of the council and her five terms as city mayor with the following:
“Many people who have passed through the city in the last two decades are familiar with 20-year Councilwoman Rosalie O’Mahony.
“She never allowed the city to give her health benefits or reimburse her expenses. Or that she has an excellent, dry sense of humor.
Or that she had been on the phone at 6 a.m. talking city business when terrorists flew jets into the Twin Towers in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.”
That sense of admiration and appreciation were followed up on by her fellow council members when honouring her for her services to the city in 2001while at the same time naming a new city bridge in her honour.
On This Side of the Atlantic
On this side of the Atlantic and in the Castleisland area in particular, her younger sister Monica also displayed the same levels of dedication and tenacity.
Castleisland Day Care Centre will always stand as a monument to that O’Mahony family trait and Monica Prendiville’s name will forever be associated with it.
She used the inevitable fallout from her presidency of the ICA in the early 1990s and the political contacts she made through that office, not for any self aggrandisement but for the benefit of her community and for what she saw as the crying need for such a centre in the area.
Decisive and Massive Boost
There was a committee around her of course at the critical stage in the development of the plans to build the centre.
And there was the decisive and massive boost of the donation of the site by the Presentation Sisters across the road on Creamery Lane / Convent Street, but Monica Prendiville fought tooth and nail to bring the project from concept to conclusion.
She and her local fellow ICA members were among the first in the country to hit the streets when Daffodil Day was initiated in Dublin by the Irish Cancer Society in 1988 and she was a conduit for contributions and a tireless fundraiser for the cause for many years.
May God be good to them both.
The Late Monica Prendiville
The death has occurred of Monica Prendiville, née O’Mahony, Glenlarhan, Cordal, Castleisland, Kerry
Monica Prendiville, nee O’Mahony, Glenlarhan, Cordal, Castleisland, Co. Kerry and late of Camp East, Castleisland. Former National President of the Irish Country Women’s Association (I.C.A.). Peacefully, on August 14th 2021, in the exceptional care of the staff at The Mater Hospital, Cork. Beloved wife of the late Gerald. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her loving son Maurice, daughter-in-law Marie, sisters Kitty Griffin (Breahig) and Cecilia Culloty (Tralee), brother Timmy O’Mahony (Camp East), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. Predeceased by her siblings Nuala, Eileen, James and most especially remembering today her sister Rosalie O’Mahony who also died on August 14th 2021 in California, U.S.A.
May Her Gentle Soul Rest In Peace
In accordance with current HSE guidelines a private family funeral will take place for Monica with her Requiem Mass on Wednesday morning, August 18th, at 11am in Castleisland Parish Church. Followed by burial in Kilbanivane Cemetery, Castleisland.
The Mass will be live streamed on www.churchservices.tv/castleisland
Funeral Cortege Route
Please note: The funeral cortege will depart Tangney’s Funeral Home Church Street, Castleisland, at 10.30am on Wednesday morning and travel en route to the church and depart the church at 12 noon approximately and travel up the Main Street en route to the cemetery.
Date Published: Monday 16th August 2021. Date of Death: Saturday 14th August 2021
The Late Rosalie O’Mahony, Camp East, Castleisland
The death has occurred of Rosalie O’Mahony, Burlingame California U.S.A. and late of Camp East, Castleisland, Co. Kerry. Peacefully at her residence in Burlingame on August 14th 2021 in her 91st year.
Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her brother Timmy O’Mahony, Camp East, Castleisland, sisters: Kitty Griffin, Breahig, Cordal; Cecelia Culloty, Tralee, brother-in-law T.J. , sister-in-law Breda, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, her excellent carer Anna, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Predeceased by her siblings: Nuala, Eileen, James and most especially remembering today her sister Monica Prendiville, Castleisland, Co. Kerry who also died on August 14th 2021.
May Her Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
Rosalie’s funeral will take place in California and a Memorial Mass will be held for her in Castleisland Parish Church later in the year.
Date Published: Monday 16th August 2021. Date of Death: Saturday 14th August 2021.
If you’d like to see a video of an address being given by Rosalie O’Mahony in her city council office talking about her career and contributions to the political life of the City of Burlingame, California you can do so with a click on the link here: https://vimeo.com/72847134
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