Queen of Kilnamanagh Bridie ‘was loving lady’
By Mary Dennehy
KNOWN fondly as the Queen of Kilnamanagh, Bridie Coleman was laid to rest last Wednesday at the age of 95 (and three quarters).
Bridie’s life took her from Kilkenny to Basin Lane, to Cloyne Road to Corrib Road, to Bangor Road and finally to Kilnamanagh, where she lived for the past 21 years with her son Brendan and daughter-in-law Marie.
Bridie is remembered as a kind hearted, spiritual and loving lady
Bridie and her late husband Tommy had seven children over 42 years together, during which “thousands of wonderful memories” were forged in the family’s hearts and minds.
A keen dancer, Bridie came to live in Kilnamanagh in April 1997 and, according to her family, she embraced the community and immediately joined the Active Retirement Group.
In later years, she loved going to the community centre for her dinner and most importantly to meet all of her friends.
Well known around the Kilnamanagh area, Bridie, who was a lady of strong faith, always had time to stop for a chat and a kind word.
Describing Bridie, her family said: “She was the most kind hearted, spiritual and loving lady that all of us here today have been privileged to have had in our lives.
“She saw good in everybody and wanted to help everybody.
“When you needed advice she gave it, when you were feeling ill she would produce her Liquid Gold and Manuka Honey to aid your recovery.”
They added: “When we think of Bridie we see a smiling face, we hear laughter and we see her perfect hair and her beautiful outfits which were admired by many.
“She could tell you when she bought a skirt or who bought it for her regardless of whether it was last week or 20 years ago, she knew.
“A lady who asked for nothing gave everything and leaves behind a legacy of love and a promise to live life to the full and to be kind to one another.”
Every single day was important to Bridie and adding the months to her birthday mattered, hence her age was 95 and three quarters.
According to Bridie’s family when she was asked what the secret to her life was, she always replied “the clean living” – no drinking, no smoking and a good partner.
Bridie was laid to rest last Wednesday, June 13, in Mount Jerome Cemetery after a funeral mass in St Kevin’s Church, Kilnamanagh – which rang its bells five years ago to mark Bridie’s 90th birthday.
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