Obituary: Proud Owey woman Bridget Ruddy remembered as an ‘outstanding neighbour’

There was widespread regret in the Burtonport area on the death of Mrs Bridget Ruddy, Lower Keadue, Burtonport, which took place in Dungloe Community Hospital.

Bridget was in her eighties and had spent some time in Letterkenny University Hospital and more recently in Dungloe Community Hospital, where received outstanding care and attention. A native of Owey Island, she was a member of the well known and highly respected Boyle family.

She was predeceased by her youngest son Paul in 2010 and this was a devastating blow to the family, the following year by her husband James and she was also predeceased by her sisters Mary and Josephine and by brothers Charlie Ban and Jimmy.

Like many in her area at the time, Mary went to work in Scotland, as an auxiliary nurse in a local hospital and while there, met her beloved husband James, who was from Culdaff. They later married there and had five children, Eileen, Joe, Seamus, Paul and the youngest child Angela. In the early eighties, the Ruddy family moved home to their new house at Keadue.

There was always a warm welcome for all callers to the Ruddy household. In particular, Bridget enjoyed the visits of her brothers Tony, Michael, Josie and William and the many phone calls to her sister Mary in Scotland. Of quiet and kind disposition, Bridget was very popular with all who had the pleasure of knowing her and was an outstanding neighbour.

She lived a very good life and was always most grateful to the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, the carers for their house calls and in particular, her daughter Angela who was always by her side. Bridget was a proud Owey lady and was always happy when looking out at her native Island. Her funeral, which was large and representative, took place to Cruit Cemetery, following Mass in St Mary’s Church, Kincasslagh, celebrated by Rev Fr Vincent Finnegan, PP, Rev Fr Brian O’Fearraigh, PP Gweedore and Rev, Fr Sean O’Gallachóir, Gweedore, with Fr Vincent officiating at the graveside.

Readers at the mass were her grandchildren Dylan and Kelly. Soloist at the mass was Lara O’Donnell. Bridget is survived by her daughters Angela and Eileen, sons Joe and Seamus Ruddy, brothers Josie in Keadue, Tony in Roshine, Michael in Belcruit and William in Gweedore, sister Mary in Scotland, in-laws, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a large family circle to whom deepest sympathy is extended. At the end of the Mass, her son in law, Pauric O’Donnell (J), read a beautiful eulogy as a tribute to Bridget.