Dublin’s oldest citizen dies
By Maurice Garvey
DUBLIN’S oldest living citizen Susan Jackson, from Cherry Orchard, has sadly passed away at the grand old age of 105.
Susan Jackson, a grand-aunt of Ballyfermot Councillor Vincent Jackson, celebrated her 105th birthday in March at the Mansion House with Cllr Jackson and the then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr.
Originally from Maryland in Dublin 8, Susan lived independently up until three years ago, before moving into the nursing home Willow Unit at Cherry Orchard Hospital.
Born in 1912, Susan lived through two World Wars, the 1916 Easter Rising, and the Irish War of Independence, all by the time she was just ten years old.
Independent Cllr Jackson, who is related to Susan on his father’s side, hailed his grand-aunt as a “remarkable lady.”
“She was a wonderful lady of faith and charity,” said Cllr Jackson, who would visit Susan every day at the Willow Unit and take her out at the weekends for a drive.
Cllr Jackson said the secret to his grand-aunt’s long life was that she “loved parties”, and never drank, smoked or got married.
Back in March, a spokesperson for Dublin City Council told The Echo it had been “officially confirmed that Susan was “the oldest living Dubliner” and congratulated her on the achievement.
A message on RIP.ie said Susan passed away on September 3 “in the loving care of the staff at the Willow Unit, surrounded by her loving family. She will be greatly missed by her loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, especially Joyce and staff.”
A funeral service took place on September 6, at Cherry Orchard Hospital Church, which is located on hospital grounds.
