![“Gaga [in hat] lived in a small cottage in Co Down with my Aunt Anne, the typical Irish daughter who never married”](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ZJ3AEKNOWMQERA25LOJ6NSLE2A.jpg?auth=84cfdaa8f782f0917c4bacd94e6d14333396a0c28148053a86ea6d3feb70fb83&smart=true&width=1024&height=575)
My grandma was known to me as Gaga and was a huge part of my early childhood in Ireland in the 1950s. She was a widow and had seven children, one of whom was my mother. I never knew Gaga’s husband, my grandfather Hugh, as he died the year before I was born. Gaga lived in a small cottage in Co Down with my Aunt Anne, the typical Irish daughter who never married.
When I was born, my dad was away serving in the Royal Navy, so Mum was by herself. Gaga and Aunt Anne looked after me every single day for two years, off and on, in their house. I realise now that my mum was suffering from postnatal depression. But in 1954 that wasn’t really recognised.
Gaga formed a very close relationship with me that lasted until she died when I was eight. I loved her cooking, the games she played with me and the closeness we shared.
As I got older, Mum was able to cope better but I still saw a great deal of Gaga and Aunt Anne. Gaga fascinated me, as she had the most beautiful long, black hair. She wore it in a bun and I loved watching her brush it. When she developed cataracts before she died, I was allowed to brush it for her.
Gaga always went to Mass every Sunday but when her health failed, she stayed at home. I used to visit her after Mass, read the Gospel of that Sunday to her and brush her hair. I loved doing that.
I realised quite early on that Gaga couldn’t read very well. She had never really finished school, as she had stayed at home looking after her mother, who was ill. I used to read from the daily paper to her, which certainly improved my reading age very quickly.
Her house did not have mains electricity, so she used Tilley lamps for light. I just loved watching her light the lamps in the evening, when we listened to the radio and I heard wonderful stories about my mum’s family.
Gaga passed away in the local hospital after suffering a stroke at the age of 74. She had been admitted to have her first cataract removed, but the operation was too much for her. I was heartbroken but never forgot that special lady.
- We would love to receive your family memories, anecdotes, traditions, mishaps and triumphs. Email 400 words and a relevant photograph to familyfortunes@irishtimes.com. A fee will be paid
