Susan Duffy McGovern
October 31, 1918 - August 14, 2010
- Share:
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
Seamus & Ann Beirne says:
August 21, 2010
Dear Phil,
Ann and I wish to send our condolences to you and your family on the death of your mother. Although we did not know her, she sounds like a wonderful person. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Seamus & Ann
Bill Drennan says:
August 22, 2010
Rosie and Jerry, we are sorry for your loss. May Christ wrap his loving arms around your mother. I enjoyed reading about her life.
Take care, Bill & Ann Drennan
David Klein & Family says:
August 22, 2010
To all our “Irish” in-laws and their families:
Dearest ones,
Once again, we here in Tennesseeare reminded of the cost of living so far away. We would so love to be together with you to celebrate the life of a truly remarkable woman! Nana was the epitomy of the “Great Generation” and deserves all the honor that we can bestow on her and her memory. The hours we spent together with her mostly at Jerry and Rosie’s house will remain some of the fondest memories of our lives. Even in the past few years when we’d come out to visit, as her worn old body was failing her very vibrant spirit and mind, she was joy and love to be around. I’m certain I WAS her favorite. If I wasn’t, I’d have never known it from her hugs and kisses…big smile and sparkly eyes. I’m guessing she made everyone feel that way. That’s why we all love her so much…now isn’t it?
How we would love to be with you this week to hear all the stories of the past. We’ve heard so many over the years but have never tired of them. On our next trip to CA perhaps we will be able to get together and view some of the old pictures, hear some of the stories and maybe chirp in with a few of our own. But for now, please know that we’re praying a peace for you that passes all understanding. We pray that you will truly find maximum joy in the celebration of her life and minimal pain in the loss of this lovely woman. She has now had the prayer answered that she has been praying for several years. The Lord has released the ties that held her to this earth and she is now with Him in Paradise where there is no pain nor sorrow. I hope it is not insensitive of me to see we are happy for her and look forward to the day that we will see her again.
We love you all.
David and family
Geraldine Smyth says:
August 22, 2010
Dear Phil, Eugene, Sue, Ingrid, Brian, Rosaleen, and all your Mother’s beloved family circle.
Thinking of your Mother, Sue, memories of visits to your home in 48 Beaumont Avenue come easily to mind, all of them kindly and associated with a woman of deep faith, wide humanity and abundant hospitality. May she enter into the joy of the Lord who directed her life’s journey through all its turnings. Quite out my usual way, I found myself not once, but twice on on Thursday in the Churchtown neighbourhood and felt drawn to drive to no 48 and pray the rosary for her sitting in the car outside, as I recalled her gifts of life and love so generously shared. Before that I went into her parish church of Christ the Good Shepherd where she had so fully lived out her bapstismal calling, delighting in God’s goodness, beauty and grace in so many practical and creative ways. I lit candles there for her and for you.
May God give you all the comfort you need, and may you find hope in your care for one another and in the sharing and passing on the hope that she shared with you from her own heart and spirit.
I shall be united in spirit these coming days as the vigil and funeral begin. May Christ, Mary and all the angels and saint be there, your Dad, Eugene, among them to gather her home. It was a grace to have known her all those years ago. With love and deep condolence,
Geraldine Smyth Sr
daniel and donna clarke says:
August 23, 2010
rosie, your mom sounded like an amazing person but of course she was irishGod was blessed by the voicemail and email that you guys sent out–people who don’t know the Lord ,fear death, because they don’t believe they see their loved ones-both my parents passed last year and of course we missed them-but what more could you ask for but to be in the arms of the Lord-our prayers are that the God of all comfort comforts you and your family love daniel /donna clarke