Galway native marks big birthday – still in the best of good health!

Wearing a face covering through pandemic is nothing new to Galway’s newest centenarian – because Winnie Moran never left home without her gas mask when she nursed in London during the Second World War!

A woman of determination and independent spirit, she overcame that and every obstacle that life put in her way, and she continues to enjoy good health as she celebrated her big birthday on April 20.

Winifred Moran (nee Fahy) was the third youngest of fourteen siblings born to Margaret Deely and Michael Fahy Leitrim, Loughrea.

By the tender age of twelve, both her parents were deceased – thus she was raised by her older sister Margaret (Ciss) Tierney and brother Mick Fahy.

Her family had a great love of traditional Irish music, dancing and politics.

Winnie attended dance lessons as a child and could dance the Blackbird Hornpipe well into her nineties!

In her late teens she emigrated to the UK and trained in Intellectual Disability Nursing in Scotland. She furthered her study in London to train and register as a General Nurse.

She also nursed in the first Cheshire Home which was opened for disabled ex-service men in Hampshire in 1948. Her unquenchable thirst for knowledge saw her acquire further qualifications in midwifery and paediatrics.

She embraced her career as a nurse in London during the war era – which is why wearing a mask during Covid-19 isn’t anything new to Winnie as she had to carry a gas mask with her at all times World War 2.

In London she met and married her husband Colman Moran, and they returned to Rakerin, Kilbeacanty, in 1955 for a life of farming and raising their eight children; Maureen, Michael, Patrick, Martin, Francis, Thomas, Bridget, and Margaret.

Baby Francis passed away aged one year due to meningitis and later in life her son Martin passed at 52 years of age.

For 66 years, Winnie has been a devoted Kilbeacanty parishioner, very involved in her community.

She embraced her life as wife and mother to raise her family. Her strong work ethic meant she worked very hard milking cows, very much involved in the day to day running of the farm.

Having a very positive attitude always, she never complains or entertains complaining.

Her philosophy of life being “any day you can get out of bed and put your two feet under you is a good day. You just do the best you can and if your children are well you have no worries.”

Combining this with her strong faith, a great devotion to the Rosary and being an avid mass goer has kept her going.

Winnie loves baking, her apple tarts and buns were very popular well into her nineties.

Always enjoying being outdoors she loved spending time in her garden attending to her flowers. She loves nothing more than having her family gathered around her, their well-being is always her priority.

She loves to read despite failing eyesight. She has continued to keep up to date with current affairs and remained interested in medical advancements down through the years.

Winnie is a very optimistic person always, shows great resilience no matter what life challenges her with.

Her positivity, good humour and self-reliance has influenced her seven children, seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

All are very close to her, a testimony to her interest in people, her wonderful listening skills, her good advice and the time she has given them down through the years.

Winnie has enjoyed living independently for 97 years surrounded by family and great neighbours, and she has resided at Blake Manor Nursing Home, Ballindereen since July 2020.

Her Presidential cheque was presented by one of these great neighbours Mrs. Margaret Quinn to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

Her family are grateful for the way she has enriched our lives, and they hugely appreciate all the good wishes and gifts from her neighbours, relatives and friends – and Aideen Scanlon and all the staff of Blake Manor Nursing Home who facilitated the birthday celebration.

(Photo: Winifred Moran accepts her Presidential cheque from her great friend and neighbour Margaret Quinn).