Wexford woman Celia (101) adored adventuring and was a great cook

Celia worked on the family farm until she met Pat Heffernan, whom she married in November 1959. Together, they bought a farm in Ballyclemock, Newbawn, and raised four children: Margaret (Kinsella), Seamús, Danny, and the late Mary (Kavanagh), who passed away in 2016.

Celia had a deep love for farming and worked tirelessly, instilling her passion and work ethic in her children and grandchildren alike. Beyond her dedication to the farm, she was an active community member. She played a key role in founding Adamstown Hall, participated in the ICA, and won awards for her brown bread at local shows. A committed member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, Celia was honoured with the Fr. Cullen Memorial Medal for 60 years of total abstinence.

Despite never driving a car, Celia was independent and adventurous. She often travelled by bicycle and, in earlier years, by pony and trap. She loved organised trips with friends, including a memorable visit to Dublin's Phoenix Park in 1979 to see Pope John Paul II. Over the years, she participated in various activities at the Raheen Day Care Centre remaining actively involved in the community she grew up in.

In her later years, Celia enjoyed Sunday drives around Tintern Abbey, St. Kearn's and Hook Head, with a particular fondness for trips to Cullenstown for ice cream, a beloved holiday destination from her youth.

From 2017 onwards, Celia spent her years at Cherrygrove Nursing Home in Campile. She settled in well, made friends, and enjoyed music sessions and crafts. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she mastered the use of a mobile phone, a stark contrast to the technology of her youth. Celia witnessed many changes in technology and culture over the years and often humorously remarked on how easy farm life had become with modern machinery in comparison to the manual labour she grew up with.

Her family, many friends, neighbours, and all those who visited her at home and in the nursing home over the years have cherished memories and great stories of a kind-hearted woman with a wonderful smile. She will be deeply missed by all.