Obituary: Therese Keyes (Sallyhene, Portlaw, 1952-2026) - a life marked by kindness, grace and community

“The past wakes up like a volcano of memories,” wrote Father Seamus Ahearne of Therese Keyes of Sallyhene, Portlaw, who died on September 9, aged 74.

“Lily and Terry. Kit and Jimmy. The story of Rathgormack, Portlaw and Curraghmore. The characters. It is all very special and very evocative. Families entwined and entangled. As Mary Oliver has put it: ‘We have only to stand where we are, to be blessed.’ We are. And we were.” 

Amen to that beautiful sentiment.

Born in Limerick to West Cork parents yet a Waterfordian through and through, Therese was Lily and Terry O’Hara’s only daughter, making Portlaw her home by way of Limerick, Cahir and Rathgormack.

Throughout her life, and never more admirably evidenced than during the past two and half testing years of illness, Therese abided by her parents’ example. She was an unrelenting source of integrity and stoicism who drew from a deep reservoir of generosity, warmth and faith.

As her son John put it during her Requiem Mass at Saint Patrick’s Church in Portlaw: “Therese was a remarkable woman. A woman who never retreated, who was never tracked by a spotlight. Someone who actively avoided it…a tireless worker who through constant determination, regularly achieved her quiet ambitions.” 

A respected teacher, an avid gardener, a voracious reader (powering through almost 50 books in 2026 alone) and a host who could cook for either two or two dozen with little or any notice, Therese was consistent in her diligence.

She led without ever coveting the captain’s armband, combining her intellect and love of community to support a host of Portlaw’s worthiest ventures: with the National School, the Musical Society, the Community Hall, the Heritage Centre, Lourdes Aid, the Enhancement Group and the Clodagh Valley Retriever Association among them.

Ask Therese to do something and it was done. She was a powerhouse set for silent running, with most of her accomplishments achieved off-camera - just as she chose it to be.

“You only have to read the condolences to see what the town of Portlaw has lost,” commented one of the many offering condolences. 

“And especially her family; may they find comfort in a life well lived.” 

That kind contributor can be rest assured that her children, grandchildren and siblings are grateful for every considered word and good wish extended to them over the past month.

That gratitude is also extended to the wonderful staff of the Oak Ward at University Hospital Waterford during the closing weeks of Therese’s life, whose care and attention could not have been bettered. Public Health Nurse Fiona O’Sullivan’s advocacy throughout Therese’s illness provided a calming presence on many difficult days.

That same, considered solace was also provided by Therese’s neighbours and close friends, some of whom she had known since her childhood in Rathgormack.

Many experienced personal loss over the course of their own lives, to which Therese directly provided time, warmth and counsel, in addition to a prayer and a lit candle.

Father James Cadman, a newcomer to the Parish of Portlaw and Ballyduff, celebrated Therese’s Requiem Mass with immense gentleness, in an avuncular manner that she herself would have undoubtedly approved of.

Scottish author Nan Shepherd (1893-1981), who, like Therese read extensively and travelled widely, loved her native Cairngorns as much as Therese adored the streets of Portlaw and the timeless beauty of Curraghmore and rural Ireland.

Non-fiction writer Robert MacFarlane described Shepherd as “a localist of the best kind: she came to know her chosen place closely, with that closeness serving to deepen rather than to limit her vision.” 

He could just as easily have been writing of Therese given her commitment to her village and her passionate sense of place.

Therese Keyes brought seven children into this world, holding the memory of her late son Shane forever close to her heart throughout the 49 years in which she lived beyond him.

She was eternally devoted to Johnny in the course of their making a home and life together. She provided a safe harbour for the six children whom she raised and loved with the fullest of hearts. She doted and cherished her 12 grandchildren. She circulated generosity and equanimity.

A treasured daughter, a loving sibling and a steadfast colleague and friend, Therese gave so much to those she loved and befriended and, over six different decades, championed Portlaw and a plethora of the Tannery Town’s causes.

Throughout her life, she nourished her family. She nourished her community. She nourished fellow educators and innumerable pupils in Portlaw. And she did it all with grace, kindness and the minimum of fuss.

Therese Keyes was predeceased by her husband Johnny, son Shane and parents Lily and Terry.

She is survived by her children Gavin, Cathy, John, Dermot, Kevin and Lillian, her grandchildren Odhran, Fionn, Ellie, Shane, Ronan, Aimee, Stella, Florence, Bronwyn, Sadhbh, Cara and Cian, her brothers Gerard, Patrick and Joseph, her sisters-in-law Kathleen, Tina and Ber, son-in-law Ross, daughters-in-law Olivia, Sandra, Edel and Avril, her nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends.

She is loved, admired and missed in equal measure. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis. [DK]