The death took place at an advanced age of Elizabeth O’Hanlon of Lackagh. Formerly Elizabeth Murphy of Ballyglass, Lizzie moved to England in her youth with her sisters, but later came home and married Lackagh native Billy O’Hanlon in 1946. Elizabeth had always an interest in sport, as her father, Walter Murphy, was a member of the first Turloughmore hurling team to bring a county hurling title to the parish, when Turloughmore Sarsfields captured the first ever Galway Junios Championship title in 1907. Walter was remembered in a song of that era in the line, Like their brave Walter Murphy who was their bright shining star.
Elizabeth kept her interest in sport and her husband Billy captured several Connacht titles in shot put and many other awards in weight throwing and sheaf throwing. In the difficult days after the war, Elizabeth and Billy worked hard on the family farm to make ends meet and provide for a large family, but no task was too challenging and they reared and provided for their 12 children. It was difficult for the family to watch three of their sons emigrate to the US in the 80s but they always cherished the phone calls and letters and the return visits. Elizabeth and Billy were married for over 67 years and they celebrated all of the special years with their family and friends. The special birthdays were also an occasion to celebrate and Elizabeth and Billy were both blessed to reach their 90s in relatively good health.
Elizabeth took great interest and pride in her family and when her sons went on to play rugby with Galwegians and with Connacht, the game of rugby became another sport to be cherished and followed.
Above all Elizabeth was a wonderful traditional family person, who was brought up with a great faith and a tremendous sense of the importance of people. The presence of neighbours and friends and the goodwill of people was hugely important to her and was instilled in her family. Prayer and Mass were always to the fore during her lifetime and Elizabeth was tremendously generous to the missions on an ongoing basis. She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by her loving family.
Her remains were removed from Lackagh Mortuary Chapel to the Church of Our Lady of Knock, Lackagh. Following her funeral Mass, Elizabeth was buried in Lackagh Cemetery. She is survived by her husband Billy, sons John, Pat, Dick, Willie, Jarlath, Gerand and Joe, daughters Mary Teresa, Monica, Eileen and Catherine, in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
