Tributes paid to retired Mayo nurse who died in house fire
Tributes have been paid to a retired East Mayo nurse who died in a house fire last week and dedicated her life to care of others.
Mary B. (Beatrice) McNicholas, aged 93, was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze, which occurred at her residence in Cordarragh, on the outskirts of Kiltimagh on Monday afternoon.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the extensively damaged property.
Mary B. lived in a separate area of the dwelling to her brother Ollie, who was treated at Mayo University Hospital for smoke inhalation.
A Garda technical examination and a post-mortem examination was carried out last Tuesday and the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Kilkelly-based Fianna Fáil Councillor John Caulfield, who knows the family well, said the Kiltimagh community and people in the surrounding areas are deeply saddened and shocked.
Cllr Caulfield stated Mary B. came from a highly respected family of 10 and all of her siblings and relatives are in the thoughts and prayers of local people.
Cllr Caulfield also spoke about the huge sacrifices Mary B. made and how dedicated she was to her profession.
"Being a nurse is very hard work, she gave her life to the care of others," he said. "Mary B. was born in Treenagleragh at the top of the mountain overlooking Kiltimagh and leaving as many youngsters of her age did she went to England where she trained to become a nurse where she worked for many years."
Cllr Caulfield said Mary B. later returned to Ireland and secured a job as a nurse with St Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park in Dublin where she worked for a lengthy period.
She subsequently moved home to Kiltimagh from Dublin to retire.
Mary B. is survived by her brothers Ollie and Sean, sisters Ann, Margaret and Verona and Cllr Caulfield said most her siblings live in Kiltimagh and the surrounding areas.
"Her family are very popular in the community and the circumstances of her death are very sad," he added.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
