'An indomitable character' - A tribute to Marion O'Mara
The late Marion O'Mara, who worked as a reporter with the Waterford News & Star for 45 years.
Even though my wife Marie and I had met and chatted with Marion and her husband, Jim, on walks in Tramore throughout her illness, it was still a huge shock to learn of her death.
She was always optimistic and such was her indomitable character that, despite everything, we always thought that, somehow, she would beat the odds and pull through.
Even towards the end when words, once so eloquent, refused to come easily, the light in her eyes was defiant. She didn’t want to go. She had too much to leave behind. She adored her husband and family of which she was so proud and the thoughts of not being part of their future tore at her heart.
All the glowing tributes from her News and Star colleagues, past and present, tell of the person she was in the office but I knew her best ‘on the road’ when we often covered the same markings together, especially courts, council meetings and local and general elections. Like us all, Marion loved elections and all the tension and drama that went with them. Marion had a nose for a good story and had reliable ‘sources’ everywhere.
In today’s era of social media, local radio and instant communications, it is hard for younger people to understand what is was like when newspapers, not too long ago, were kings and people waited anxiously for the next edition.
Reporters had great power and their words could have significant influence.
My recollection is that Marion was always fair to everybody. She mightn’t have always agreed personally with some things people were saying but she always reported their point of view truthfully. She honourably discharged her duties and was respected for it.
Away from the daily markings, Marion loved the much lamented Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. While The News and Star had its own esteemed theatre critic in the late Christy Kavanagh, Marion was very knowledgeable about musical theatre. She attended every show and grilled the various adjudicators at the morning press conferences about their marks and choices. When it came to picking a winner, she was rarely wrong.
Like many of our former friends and colleagues, it’s hard to accept that she has gone. To Jim, Jennifer and all Marion’s family, Marie and I offer our deepest sympathies.
