Susan Duffy McGovern
October 31, 1918 - August 14, 2010
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Susan Duffy McGovern
October 31, 1918 - August 14, 2010
Obituary
Susan Mary Teresa McGovern, of Dana Point, California passed away peacefully early on the morning of August 14th, 2010; she was just shy of ninety-two years of age.
Sue was born on Wesley Street in Cavan Town, County Cavan, Ireland on October 31st, 1918, to Patrick Duffy and Bridget Yourell, the second of seven children. She began hair dressing as a teen in her hometown of Cavan, eventually moving to Monaghan where she met Eugene McGovern. The two were married in Belfast on January 6, 1942 during war time. Their first three children, Philip, Eugene and Susan were born in Belfast. They later moved to Dublin where Ingrid, Brian and Rosaleen were born. Sue ran her own hair salon, ‘Sue Hair Stylist’, out of their home on Beaumont Avenue in Churchtown, Dublin. She was an unusual woman for her time in that she was an entrepreneur, running several businesses out of her home. Aside from being a hairstylist, Sue was a talented dressmaker, florist, and milliner hat maker. She was also an active member of her community and put together flower arrangements for services, weddings, and funerals at her local parish, the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd.’ At her best when she was serving others, she often visited and cared for the sick and dying, not only her relatives but also people in her community. She never turned anyone away from her door, often inviting people in need for meals and a place to stay.
After the death of her husband in 1985, Sue started a new adventure and moved to California in 1989. She lived with Rosie’s family until 2007 when her health was in decline and she required professional care. Before that time she enjoyed several return trips to Ireland, and was actively involved in the lives of her friends and family who were privileged to share in her life, both in Ireland and California.
Sue is survived by a brother Brendan Duffy and a sister Theresa Tracey, both of England, and a sister Mary Dowd of Ireland; her six children and their families: Philip & Charlotte McGovern of Placentia, California, Eugene and Jackie McGovern of Lucan, County Dublin-Ireland, Susan & Sean Murphy of Dana Point, California, Ingrid and Gordon Goodwin of Carrickmines, County Dublin-Ireland, Brian McGovern of Dana Point, California, and Rosaleen and Jerry Klein of Dana Point, California; thirteen grandchildren: Peter McGovern, Anita Lord, Sarah Vaughn, Steven Goodwin, Ingrid Goodwin, Scott Goodwin, Gordon Goodwin Jr., Charlotte Goodwin, Betsy McGovern, Ryan McGovern, McKenna Klein, Caitlin McGovern, and Michael Klein; and four great-grandchildren: Juliet Lord, Dylan Lord, Aila McGovern, and Ben Goodwin.
She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
53 responses to Susan Duffy McGovern
Dick and Sheila Gottron says:
August 25, 2010
WE will keep Susan and her Family in our prayers.
Dick, Sheila and Family
Susi Aldridge says:
August 25, 2010
Dear Rosie, Jerry and Family,
I send my condolences from Montana. Even though I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting your ‘Nana’, through your wonderful stories I know she was a very special lady.
love to you,
Susi Aldridge
Margot Conway says:
August 28, 2010
Dearest Aunty Sue: I have so many memories of your love they are beyond writing. The world is a sadder place since you left.
Wherever you went you brought laughter and a vital presence that is uniquely yours. You are one of a kind, and I always thought so.
Happy were my days when I lived in Dublin and travelled by bus to Dundrum to your home filled with children and laughter. The joy of being with my girl cousins especially was heaven. The hair-do’s, the clothes, and makeup were so exciting along with piano playing and singing. As if you didn’t have enough children to feed, here I was embraced by you and my lovely uncle Eugene and the entire gaggle of McGoverns!
Do you remember how you wanted to use me as a model for the big Hairdressing Show in Dublin and how terrified I was at the very idea, since you had a history of winning in the past with your outrageous designs, like using a feather, a rose or ribbon? Still you did do my hair many times and I was always thrilled. You were a true artist dear Aunty Sue with those lovely long hands and brilliant ideas for everything…you were the first person I had ever seen with those scarlet nails I was about 10.
I want to thank you for the love you gave to Mama and Dada and to all of us. The special care and love given to you on this last part of your journey by your children is a mirror image of your care and love which you gave to them.
I will miss the bright light you have taken away with you. You will be remembered with tears, and with love.
Margot,
P.S., Loving condolences to all the McGoverns from your cousins:
Louis, Eugene, Ernie, Oliver and Christopher, and from my boys, Sean and Neil.
Mary Holland says:
August 28, 2010
To Philip and all the Mc Govern family Thinkng of you all.
Even though we were only children at the time Eugene & Sue visited us now and again in Monaghan,they still made a big impression on us.we really enjoyed and looked forward to their visits.Eugene told funny stories and made us laugh, Sue cut our hair in lovely styles,and sometimes brought us lovely hand down clothes. This was all very special,because to us country girls ,having a Dublin hairdresser and Dublin posh clothes was a big thing. Even to this day 40yrs later, it is not uncommon for some one of the extended family in Monaghan to ask, I wonder how Sue Mc Govern is ??. So it was really nice Phillip to have made contact with you before she died,and to be able to say a prayer with you all. In the photograph she still has that same lovely face I remember,older of course but still lovely.
I send this also on behalf of my Mc Kernan unclesYour fathers 1st cousinsand the Holland,Mc Kernan and Mc Kenna cousins from Monaghan.
Mary Holland says:
August 28, 2010
To Philip and all the Mc Govern family Thinkng of you all.
Even though we were only children at the time Eugene & Sue visited us now and again in Monaghan,they still made a big impression on us.we really enjoyed and looked forward to their visits.Eugene told funny stories and made us laugh, Sue cut our hair in lovely styles,and sometimes brought us lovely hand down clothes. This was all very special,because to us country girls ,having a Dublin hairdresser and Dublin posh clothes was a big thing. Even to this day 40yrs later, it is not uncommon for some one of the extended family in Monaghan to ask, I wonder how Sue Mc Govern is ??. So it was really nice Phillip to have made contact with you before she died,and to be able to say a prayer with you all. In the photograph she still has that same lovely face I remember,older of course but still lovely.
I send this also on behalf of my Mc Kernan unclesYour fathers 1st cousinsand the Holland,Mc Kernan and Mc Kenna cousins from Monaghan.