Lena was always there to lend a hand to friends
GREAT SADNESS greeted news of the passing of well-known Rower woman Lena Morrissey.
Lena ( pictured) passed away peacefully last month, just four days short of her 87th birthday, surrounded by her loving family at Borris Lodge Nursing Home, where she had been cared for over the past number of years.
Born on December 8, 1924, Lena was the daughter of David Doyle and Elizabeth Doyle (nee Audley) of Knockatore, The Rower. She was the eldest of five children; she had three sisters and one brother.
As a child Lena was educated at The Rower National School and later went on to work in New Ross and Graiguenamanagh.
In her late teens, Lena met the man she would later marry, Jimmy Morrissey from Mc Muragh, Ballyanne. They met in The Rower, in the local dance hall at the time, known as the Creamery.
They were married in The Rower Church on December 11, 1946 and set up home in Ballavara, The Rower, where they lived for 18 years and had eleven of their thirteen children. In 1964 the family moved to a new house in Mangan, The Rower, where the youngest two children were born.
Lena was very popular in the locality and a good friend and neighbour. She was always there to lend a hand in times of need. She had a great love of cycling and as a young woman competed in many cycling races and won many a trophy. She carried this love of cycling right throughout her life and every year, up to her mid-sixties, Lena took part in the cycle rally from New Ross to Duncannon in aid of St. Joseph's National School. Lena was pre-deceased by her husband Jimmy in 1991, her brother Larry in 2004, Sister Maura in 2008 and her eldest daughter Breda in 2009. She is survived and sadly missed by her sisters Elizabeth and Bridget; her brother-inlaw; six daughters and six sons; her sons and daughters-in-law, her grand and great-grandchildren, as well as her many friends and relatives.
The family of the late Lena Morrissey would like to sincerely thank the staff and management of Borris Lodge Nursing Home and their GP Dr. Byrne for their excellent dedication and care for Lena, St. Luke's Hospital Kilkenny, Cooney's Funeral Service, Fr. Scrivin, the altar servers and visiting priests, the Church music, the Rower Hall Catering Committee, the grave diggers and all those who extended their sympathy to the family.
Lena's Months Mind Mass will be held in The Rower Church on January 7 at 6.30 p.m.
May she rest in peace.
