Rita Malone née Cummins

Late of St. Declan’s Road, Gurranebraher, Cork

On the 11th of October 2022, my beautiful mum Rita passed away and left a lot of broken hearts behind her. I, her daughter Geraldine, would like to thank so many people that helped in so many ways during my mum's short illness. To Dr Denis O'Sullivan in MediGroup and staff: thank you for taking such good care of my mum during her time with you. To Irwins Chemist in Shandon Street: the staff there went above and beyond helping my mum and myself during her illness, and even before she became ill - thank you so much. To Gillian O'Sullivan, mum’s health nurse: thank you for all your care and support. Your visits meant a lot to her.

To the Marymount Home team for their visits and for their chats with my mum, helping her to come to terms with her illness and controlling her pain - thank you from the bottom of my heart. Mum’s doctors in the Mercy: Dr. Power for taking so much time with my mum, and helping her through her illness; Dr. Shane Kileen and his staff member Mairead - thank you for always being at the other end of the phone. To Sheila Kelly and the Mercy: thank you for everything and your friendship throughout many years, and all the staff in the Mercy Hospital, especially St. Catherine’s Ward.

To Mary the pastor in the Mercy and Anthony the pastor in Marymount: thank you for all your blessings and chats you had with both of us. To everyone in Marymount, especially St. Catherine’s Ward - from nurses, kitchen staff, doctors and on reception - I can’t thank you all enough for making my mum's last few weeks so comfortable and easing her pain. You treated her like a queen, and I will never forget that. And I would also like to thank you all for the support you gave me through my mum’s illness. Thank you also to everyone in the Glandore room in the CUH. Thank you to everyone in Blue Cabs: all the drivers and base staff who were so good to my mum. She would always give you an earful if you were late with her cab, but she enjoyed the craic. Thank you for being there for her.

And thank you to Will Pendergrast who took her for all her radiotherapy treatments in the CUH, and kept her spirits up with the many stories you told her. To all the staff in Marks & Spencer's in Patrick Street and Douglas: a huge thank you for making my mum one of the Mark’s family, especially her dear friends Shirley, Martina and Donna. Shirley and Martina called to my mum during lockdown, with all her goodies from Mark’s. And Shirley made beautiful videos of my mum singing every time. I will treasure them always. To John and Ann Lucy, and John O'Connell: thank you for always staying in touch with my mum. Your phone calls kept her spirits up. She loved those calls.

To all her cleaning staff colleagues: thank you for being there for her. And I want to thank Mark’s and GS Associates for the beautiful guard of honour outside the church. She would have been so proud. It really showed me what you all thought of her. To Chris the Sacristan in the Church of the Ascension: thank you for having the church so beautiful and for all the masses you got said from my mum. To all the staff in Joe Coughlan’s - Janett, Dave and Grace: I can't thank you enough for all your help and support during the funeral and even beforehand. When Dave made the speech just before the rosary started about my mum, it meant a lot. So thank you for that touch. To the Island Gate Crematorium and Father Des Campion who said the service: thank you, it was so beautiful. You explained everything and made it a lot easier to experience. To the Maldron Hotel: thank you for what you've done. The service you gave was great.

To my dear friend Eileen and her husband Tony, and Laura Jane and Damien: thank you for being there for me and my mum. Your support meant so much, and it was great to know that you were just a phone call away. Mum enjoyed all our outings with you, and I know she classed you as family. So thank you again. To Stacy at Shandon Flowers: thank you so much for the beautiful flower arrangement you gave me for Marymount. To my mum's nephew Brian Morey: thank you so much for the beautiful singing. It made the mass so special. To Pauline the social worker from the Mercy Hospital: thank you for your support. To my mum’s sister Peggy and her daughter Mary who made the journey from England to be with me during this hard time: thank you so much. It meant everything to me - love you both.

To my sister-in-law Caron and my nieces Lorraine and Abigail: thank you for your support, and for setting up everything in the church on the morning of the funeral. To my husband Brian: thank you for everything, for the beautiful eulogy and for your support and understanding. Mum loved you so much, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are my rock. To my mum's grandchildren Shane, Daniel and Hayley: I am so proud of you and for keeping nan’s spirits up, and for helping me whenever you could. And Hayley: thank you for giving up your bedroom so nan could live with us. It meant a lot to nan. She loved you all and she will always be watching over ye. To Daniel's girlfriend Emma: thank you for your support. And to all the Cummins and Morey families: thank you.

And for all the mass cards, flowers and condolences that were sent on RIP.ie: thank you to each and every one of you. I hope I have not forgotten anyone. If I have, I apologise. My mum was one of the strongest, loving and kindest women I have ever known, and I am so proud to be her daughter. Miss you mum - love you to the moon and back. Masses have been offered for all your intentions.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Mum’s First Anniversary Mass will be on Sunday 8th October, 11:30am in the Church of the Ascension, Gurranebraher.