‘We can never thank her enough for what she has done’
“At one stage Mammy had six children under six years,” said her eldest child, Paulina. “She bought a seven-seater car and ferried us everywhere. Every minute of every day was dedicated to us.”
Pauline, 67, from Swords, Co Dublin, is one of the 16 finalists in the Woman’s Way Mum of the Year competition, which attracted a record 500 entries. While some of Pauline’s children have met their biological mothers, the bond between them and their mother remains the special one. And whether or not she wins the title in Dublin on Tuesday they want everyone to know just how much they love and appreciate her.
“Nobody could ever replace Mammy and we can never thank her enough for what she has done for us,” said Paulina. “We couldn’t have been luckier with the parents who adopted us. They are my best friends, as well as being the best parents in the world.”
Pauline had been told it would be unlikely that she would ever have the large family she had always wished for because it was unlikely she would conceive a child of her own. She did become pregnant and gave birth prematurely to a son, Ciarán, who weighed just two pounds when he was born. He lost his battle to survive after a few days.
Some months later Pauline and her husband, Sean, 68, an accountant and auditor, adopted Paulina, 37, Cormac, 36, and then Aileen, 34, Ronan, 33, Cian and Enda (twins), 31, and Aoibheann, 26. As well as caring for her family and 12 grandchildren, Pauline teaches adult literacy on a voluntary basis and is a member of St Vincent de Paul, working in inner-city Dublin. Pauline’s mother died when she was six weeks old and her aunt, also Pauline, reared her.
“She was very like my mother in a lot of ways,” recalled Paulina. “She was gentle and good-natured. She also adored us and we would spend every weekend and the summer in her home in Sandymount and she always made sure that we always had a new outfit for every occasion.”
Aoibheann, who still lives with her parents, said her mother was still recovering from a life-threatening illness in hospital when she and Paulina decided to enter her for the competition.
“It is only now that I realise how much my mother sacrificed for us. She could have had a life of pure luxury and not adopted any children. Instead she put up with seven children who are unbelievably different,” she said.
Aoibheann said the family, despite going their separate ways, remained as close as ever. “I think we get on better as a family because our different personalities complement each other.”
Deputy editor of Woman’s Way Rosie McMeel said nominations for the competition, now in its second year and sponsored by Bosch Domestic Appliances and Nesquik, had increased by 25%.
“There are awards regularly handed out in every other career and walk of life and we feel it’s only right to recognise the hard work of mums,” she said.
Ms McMeel said the competition was also very humbling. “Every nomination told of great bravery, courage, dedication and unrelenting commitment of mums from every corner of the county.”
The judging panel included Miriam Ahern, John Creedon, Suzanne Power, Lorraine Keane, Dana Rosemary Scanlon and Twink.
A mother of four from Castlebar, Co Mayo, Maura was nominated by her daughter Maria for the way she coped with the untimely death of her husband, John in 2000.
A clinical nurse working in the area of mental handicap, Maura obtained a degree in psychology just months after his death. Maura was successfully treated for breast cancer last year.
From Durrow in Co Laois, Brigid was nominated by her daughter Aoife who died recently while awaiting a second lung transplant. Aoife, who was 21 years old, suffered from cystic fibrosis, an illness that also claimed the life of Brigid’s oldest child Paula in 1991 when she was 15 years old.
Brigid has two surviving children Michael, 27, and Aileen, 26.
From Crosserlough, Co Cavan, Margaret was nominated by daughter Noeleen. As well as being a mother to her eight children, Margaret is full-time carer to her husband’s mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease.
Noeleen said her mother supported her when she became pregnant and then offered to mind her baby so she could return to work.
From Drumahoe, Co Derry, Rosemary has been a rock of strength to her three children, particularly Naomi, who has Crohn’s Disease. Naomi said she nominated her mum, a former nurse, because of the way her inner strength always shines though despite the untimely death of her dad, who suffered from depression.
From Bantry, Co Cork, Hannie has twice battled breast cancer in the past 20 years.
The mother of three, who works part time in a busy pharmacy in West Cork, now counts every day as a bonus. Her daughter, Úna, who nominated her, said her mother, who underwent many gruelling sessions of radiotherapy last year, never felt sorry for herself.
From Killorglin, Co Kerry, Eileen was nominated by a friend for speaking out after Aer Lingus refused to bring her son’s body home from Australia. Eileen’s son Noel, 24, died when he fell from the balcony of his apartment but the airline argued a new ruling meant it could not carry coffins. Aer Lingus reversed the ruling and brought Noel’s body home.
From Edenderry, Co Wicklow, mother-of-12 Bernie was nominated by her son James because of the way she coped with the tragic loss of three of her daughters in three years and her own declining ill-health.
In recent years, Bernie suffered a heart attack and developed a life-threatening aneurysm and is now very ill with cancer.
From Thurles, Co Tipperary, Phoebie, a mother of six, has never taken a holiday and refused to have a broken finger set because it would mean staying in hospital away from her family.
Daughter, Ruby, who nominated her, said: “Two years ago she lost her first grandchild, my son, in an accident and she has been there for me ever.”
From Bundoran, Co Donegal, Olga was nominated by her best friend and sister-in-law Caroline for her devotion to her 10-year-old daughter Grace who has Rett Syndrome, a neurological development disorder.
“Grace is a remarkable little girl and I know if she could talk or write, she would nominate her mum for being so brave,” said Caroline.
From Killarney, Co Kerry, Maura has found time to be a wife and mother to her three grown-up children, as well as giving 40 years of service as a guide and brownie leader to the Irish Girl Guide Association (IGGA).
She is currently international commissioner for the IGGA.
Maura was nominated by her daughter Niamh.
From Ballina, Co Mayo, Antoinette, a mother of three children, was nominated by her son, David, for remaining positive despite having to rebuild her life after leaving an unhappy marriage.
“My mum found the bills hard at times but she would give you every penny she had,” he said.
Antoinette remarried last August.
From Kilrush, Co Clare, Mary has had a lot of heartbreak in her life.
Following the deaths of her daughters, Patricia and Sharon, from complications associated with cystic fibrosis, her husband, Kevin, died suddenly. Daughter Olivia, who nominated her, said: “Though she has experienced pain and sorrow all through her life, she has never complained.
From Swords, Co Dublin, Pauline, a mother of seven adopted children, was nominated by daughters Aoibheann and Paulina.
“We can never thank her enough for what she has done for us,” said Paulina. As well as caring for her family and 12 grandchildren, Pauline teaches adult literacy on a voluntary basis and is a member of St Vincent de Paul.
From Dungannon, Co Tyrone, a mother of four grown children, Sally took over her husband’s lorry-driving job when he became too ill with multiple sclerosis to work.
She has now given up work to be a full-time carer to Raymond and also looks after her own mum, Maureen, who has cancer.
Her daughter, Maureen, nominated her.
From Westport, Co Mayo, Ann was nominated by her daughter Geraldine for the loving care she has given her six children, three of whom have special needs.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago and had a mastectomy, causing her to miscarry. She recently had her other breast removed after finding another cancerous lump.
From Sallins, Co Kildare, Frances is one of the youngest mothers at 31 but she has worked tirelessly for her two children who have special needs. Her son, Pierce, 10, who has dyslexia and dyspraxia, nominated her. “The teacher said I was slow but my mum said I just saw things differently,” he said. His sister, Victoria, three, is partially sighted.
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