A 105-year-old woman who ascribed her longevity to "hard work, wholesome food and a regular highball of whiskey and ginger ale" died yesterday.
Ms Margaret Gannon was in good spirits until the end. She died yesterday morning at St Mary's Hospital, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
Ms Gannon spent the last few years of her life at the hospital. A native of Castleblayney, she also spent several years as a nurse in the United States and often recalled how she was involved in caring for wounded American GIs who returned after the first World War.
She met and married a New York policeman, Jim Gannon, from Galway. After his death she returned to her native Co Monaghan where she lived with her brother in Castleblayney until his death.
During her 105th birthday celebrations last August, Ms Gannon said: "There's nothing better than a wee whiskey with a drop of ginger ale to keep you going. It's a real life-saver."
She took a great interest in current affairs and was described as Ireland's oldest voter in the last general election, insisting that hospital staff took her in a wheelchair to the polling booth.
Yesterday a former Castleblayney town clerk, Mr Paddy Carragher, said: "Everyone who knew Margaret is very sad over her passing.
"She was a really wonderful lady for her years, and her death has left us all in grief" .
A nurse at St Mary's Hospital said: "She was part of the institution. We all loved her".
