I was very sorry to hear that Lily Mapother, who for so many years ran the newspaper shop on Sandymount Green with her husband Harry, passed away in June of this year.

The gentleman who gave me the sad news was Brendan Gregg who has lived in Chicago for many years. As a young boy he was employed by Lily to deliver newspapers and went on to help out in the shop.

He told me she was like a second mother to him and took him on trips to the country on the train. Brendan never forgot her kindness and called to see her in Buncrana on his regular visits home.
He gave me a copy of the photograph below of Lily taken in August 1958 which he kept with him always.

There must have been many people touched by her generosity. I remember she always had something special for my children at Christmas.

When my late husband was in hospital she woulddrive me to see him and make so little of it I never felt under any obligation. There are not many people with her special spirit of unselfishness in this world.

She will be remembered with great fondness by all who had the privilege to know her.
The photo above was taken on the occasion of Harry’s retirement.