Philomena O'Neill
(née Somers)

Passed away peacefully in her 76th year. Loved & loving wife of Eddie. Loved Mother and Mother-in-law of Kathy & Brad, Chris & Alana, Sarah & Kevin, Emma & Stu. Loving and proud Granny of Brianna, Denim, Abbie, Aidan, Callum, Rachel, Jordon, and Penelope. Beloved Sister of Francis (Somers) and Beloved Auntie of Margaret (Somers O’Brien), along with Tommy, Kate, Cillian & Lorcan (O’Brien).

Philomena Somers was born in Athy, Co. Kildare on 2nd January 1949 and died, in the loving embrace of her family, on 17th November 2025, in Melbourne, Australia, where she spent most of her adult life, raising her family and working in the service of others as a Nurse and Palliative Care Specialist.

Philomena was raised in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare by foster parents. As a teenager, she went on to win a scholarship to study at St. Leo’s College, Carlow, where she met fantastic friends who became like family & were a source of great love and support throughout her life. After school, she studied Nursing at St. Michael’s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire and in 1971 travelled to Australia, where she met her soulmate, Eddie O’Neill, from County Antrim. They went on to marry in 1973, and they had 4 children, and later 8 grandchildren, of whom Phil was eternally proud.

Philomena was a beautiful soul, and if you were lucky enough to feel her affection it was a wonderful experience. Her attitude and aptitude in life were remarkable. From humble beginnings, she made the most of every opportunity that was afforded to her both in her personal and professional life. Along with this, Philomena remained a loving mummy, granny, sister, auntie, and friend.

Her loss will be sorely felt by so many in Australia and here in Ireland.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis