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This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved ones, My parents,
Mary & Michael Gilronan.
Mary was born on March 6th, 1947 in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.
Michael was born on February 12th, 1945 in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.
Mary and Michael then moved to Coventry, England where they got married on July 19th, 1969. Then on July 14th, 1973 had their daughter Ann-Marie.
Mary and Michael had many wonderful times with friends and family such as Patricia and Martin Finneran. Stories are still heard about the dancing, wall papering or plan and simple enjoying each others company. Mary and Michael became god-parents to their god-daughter Michelle who they idolized. Mary and Michael's eyes always lit up when speaking about Michelle. Weekends were spent all together at the Finneran's and all the children Michelle, Simon, Vanessa and Ann-Marie playing for hours. Or trips home to Ireland for the holidays or to help Brian Mahon with the hay. In 1980 Mary, Michael & Ann-Marie immigrated to the states. Sadly leaving their life as they knew it for the american dream.
Mom and Dad worked hard and opened up their own business. After many years of hard work and barely any vacations we noticed something a little different about Mom. We took her in for testing and were soon informed that she had Huntington's Chorea. After researching online, buying books, going to seminars and going into speciality hospitals in New York City we felt we knew all about the disease and were trying to prepare ourselves. But no matter what you can never prepare yourself enough. Soon work was too much for Mom and being home all the time wasn't helping her at all. But bringing her to an adult daycare center wasn't easy either. But their they kept her safe with little activites. After some time Dad started getting sick. At first we just thought it was the stress of seeing Mom get worse and not being able to control it or make her better. But after many scans and tests I was told by Dad's doctor that she found Stomach Cancer. Next step was haivng to tell Dad that he had cancer. This was something very hard to do and I can remember it as good as it was today. After every scan or doctors appointment Dad and I would go for coffee and talk about and have our own cry. We would then put on our brave face and head home. We couldn't show Mom how upset we were as this would knock her off her tracks and that was hard to get her back to that. We tried telling her what was going on but she didn't understand and seeing us upset would make her too upset. So we would walk in like everything was ok. It was my job to call everyone to tell them of the news and what the next step would be. Through much difficult and painful days Dad still happenned to have a smile on his face. Dad then started setting goals for himself. First he said that he wanted to see the year 2000. Well on 1/1/00 at 12:01am he got to see that dream and said to Mom and I that he was happy to see the year 2000. Then his next goal was his birthday of February 12th. He said that 54 was not a good age to die but 55 was ok. So he got that wish and we celebrated. His next goal was to see his favorite holiday St. Patrick's Day. He also said that this year he wouldn't be able to play his spoons. We told him it was ok he didn't have too. Sadly to say he never made it to that goal and passed away on February 24th, 2000. Unfortunatley this was the day that Mom realized how sick Dad was. But I made sure she was able to take care of him and do what she needed to so she felt better about doing something for him. It just seemed that no matter who came in and out to see Dad on his last day he waited for his nephew Brian to come by before "catching his cloud". He knew then once Brian was here we would be ok. But after this it was just Mom and I. But we coped. We coped as best as we could. Till the day I couldn't do it anymore. I had to put her into a nursing home and it was very hard to do as I always said I would never put her into a nursing home. But I had no choice it was only me trying to take care of her. Some people in my family couldn't understand why I put it there but these people were also people who never helped me with anything. Although promises were made to my Dad they were not carried out. After much suffering and pain and many trips to the emergency room and battling with pneumonia sadly to say Mom passed away on January 27th, 2005. The worst feeling ever was coming home and realizing that it was just me left and my parents were not here anymore.
Some people say that time heals and it gets easier. Well I have no idea what they are talking about as I think that time makes it worse. The pain and emptyness is still very strong. I also still wonder why two great, loving and adoring people were taken so young. They missed out on so much life. It just doesn't feel right. |
