Obituary: Remembering the late Marie Wickham

It is with deep sorrow and regret we record the passing of Marie Wickham (Jennings, nee Shine), Cairbre House and Abbotts Close, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, and formerly of St John’s Park, Waterford. Marie passed away peacefully on October 4 surrounded by her loving family after a short illness in the wonderful care of the nurses and staff of the Oak Ward, Waterford Hospice.

Marie grew from a shy girl into a loving, determined, and fun-loving woman. One of nine children, she worked hard for everything she had and was proud of it. She loved travel, reading, movies, theatre, and walking, and had a great sense of humour and a positive outlook on life.

Marie believed in keeping close to those who made her feel good and leaving behind those who didn’t. She was the life of the party, known for her rendition of “Paper Roses” in a strong Ballybricken accent. She gave her life to caring for others as a dedicated nurse; she specialised in coronary care, intensive care, and the emergency department, retiring as a recovery nurse from Whitfield Hospital in Waterford.

Marie was fiercely loyal to her friends and family, maintaining contact with many from her school and nursing days. She had a lifelong interest in travel and different cultures, making friends everywhere she went. After training in England, she returned to Ireland to work at Ardkeen Hospital and care for her mother. She later worked in Saudi Arabia and Oman, which she loved and where she met her first husband, Mike Jennings. After Mike’s sudden passing, it was such a sad time for Marie, however, she moved forward, renewing her love of walking and volunteering with street children in Calcutta.

Marie returned to Ireland and met her second husband, Brian Wickham, when she joined the Dungarvan Hill Walking Club and they fell madly in love walking the Comeraghs and the Cliff Walk in Ardmore together. They shared over 15 wonderful years together, enjoying walking holidays, nature, travelling, the local seisiúns, and making lasting friendships.

Marie became a true Abbeyside woman and integral part of the community. Marie was an active member of various clubs and groups in Abbeyside and Dungarvan, including the Solas Cancer Support Choir, the knitting group with her ‘wing women’ and the Déise Women’s Shed.

She loved nature and would not hurt any living thing, music, reading, and was always singing and dancing around the house with Brian. Marie held a special place in her heart for the otters and the seals on the surfboard that they both watched each evening overlooking the Colligan River.

Although Marie had no children of her own, she was very close to her nieces, nephews and to Brian’s children and grandchildren, who she loved as though they were her own, who they fondly referred to as Nanna Marie.

Marie had a strong sense of faith and rarely passed Abbeyside Church without stopping to light a candle for those who had passed away or others who were in need. Even while facing illness, Marie never complained and was more concerned about others, her bravery knows no bounds.

Marie is missed terribly, by her husband Brian and sisters, Vera, Rita, and their husbands’ Johnnie and Jackie, brothers Jim, Peter and Pat and their wives’ Jan, Aileen and Audrey. In addition to Brian’s family Karina, Dave, Keith, Laura, Keva, Brían and grandchildren Brendan, Kayla, Emily, Kyle and Ailbhe and all Marie’s nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and the so many close friends Marie held dear.

A massive thank you to the wonderful staff, consultants, doctors and nurses in Waterford Hospital and Hospice who provided fantastic care to Marie in her final weeks.

A huge thank you to all those who attended Marie’s removal and funeral or who got in touch in any way. Her family are forever grateful for your support, sympathy, love and prayers and to Kiely’s funeral directors, their guidance, and professionalism was so greatly appreciated.

Marie lay in repose at Kiely’s Funeral Home Dungarvan on Wednesday evening, October 9. Funeral prayers in thanksgiving for Marie’s life were led by Fr. Jim Mountain.

On Thursday, October 10, an overflowing congregation gathered for the concelebrated Requiem Mass in St Augustine’s Church, Abbeyside, which was led by Fr. Ned Hassett P.P, Fr. Paul Waldron and Fr. Jim Mountain. The Solas Cancer Support Choir and soloist Kate de Barra (Marie’s grandniece) provided beautiful singing and music throughout the ceremony. Kate’s incredible and heartfelt performance of Amazing Grace and Country Roads will be forever remembered, and Marie would have loved dearly. The Dungarvan Hill Walking Club provided a Guard of Honour in her memory.

Burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Gabriel’s Oboe” played on the tin whistle by Seamus Connelly and an acoustic version of the song ‘Into my arms’ powerfully and inspirationally sung by Shane Maher and graveside prayers were led by Fr. Jim Mountain.

We also dearly remember Marie’s first husband Mike Jennings, parents Peter and Mai Shine and brother Michael Fanning who have also departed, may they rest in peace.

"Let’s love, laugh, smile and remember our beloved Marie as she enriched our lives in so many ways, let her inspiration, bravery, kindness and music live on in our hearts forever."

Month’s Mind Mass for Marie will be held at 12 noon, on Sunday, November 24, in St Augustine’s Church Abbeyside.