04.10.2016
100 Years Old Today – Happy Birthday Edith Kinlan
It’s not every day that one gets a letter from the President, but St John’s House resident, Edith (Edie) Kinlan had that honour today (Tuesday October 4). The Dublin nursing home was en fete as Edith celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.
The afternoon began for Edith, who hails from Crumlin and is a longstanding member of St Mary’s Parish, with a celebration of Holy Communion led her son–in–law, the Revd Willie Black, with chaplain the Revd Pat Carmody and the Rector of Crumlin, the Revd Ruth Noble.
Following the service, Edith’s son Edward, welcomed the great number of people who had come to wish her well. These included her other children Hilary, Willie, Edie, Clifford and Eric as well as some of her 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, the youngest of whom is also named Edie and is just one week old.
Edward said his mother has many interests including her parochial activities and her holidays. He said she loved her church, Mothers’ Union, bowling, whist, the ‘Coffee Girls’. She was a great knitter and still aspires to go on a cruise.
Sadly the big love in her life, her husband Billy who drove her everywhere, died in 1974. However, her son said she picked herself up, got a job in Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin, learned to drive and bought her own house.
For the past five years, Edward said, his mother had been house bound and in hospital. He thanked the matron and staff of St John’s House for looking after Edith so well.
Director of Nursing, Barbara Fitzgerald, read the letter from President Higgins to Edith and presented her with her centenarian cheque on the President’s behalf. The celebrations continued with not one but two cakes.
Photo captions:
Top – Edith Kinlan with her youngest great grandchild, Edie and Edie’s mum, Jolie and big sister Emily.
Bottom – Director of Nursing, Barbara Fitzgerald, presents flowers and Edith’s centenarian cheque and letter from the President.