IRELAND’S OLDEST person, Mary Coyne, has died aged 108.
The centenarian passed away on Monday at her home in the Aras Mathair Phoil Community Nursing Unit in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.
A mother-of-two, Mary is survived by her son Tom and daughter Pauline.
A grandmother and great-grandmother, she became the oldest person in Ireland last year, following the death of Dubliner Elizabeth Dempsey.
Born Mary Griffin in the townland of Rathbarna near Castlerea town, she later met and married Roger Coyne, with the couple enjoying many happy years together.
Roger passed away a few years ago but Mary lived on, eventually receiving a centenarian medal from President Michael D Higgins back in 2011.
Speaking on her 100th birthday, Mary lifted the lid on the secret behind her longevity, which boiled down to simply taking “life one day at a time”.
Her remains will repose at McDonagh Funeral Home, Castlerea on Tuesday evening prior to removal to St Patrick’s Church, Castlerea.
She will be buried in Castlerea cemetery on Wednesday following a funeral Mass at 11am.
