Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 12:00pm

Mrs. Mona O'Neill

The death has taken place of Mona O'Neill, peacefully at her home. Mona was born on January 27th, 1934 and was educated at Abbey Street School. She was the daughter of the late Jack and Eva Stewart, and the youngest of six children, Dessie, Lilly, Aggie, Nancy and Jackie.

Lilly, who died young, had a young son Noel, who was raised as Mona's brother. Mona married Frank Wallace and they had eight children together. Frank died very young, in 1966, leaving her to bring up her young family alone. Mona married again in 1967 to Gabriel O'Neill with whom she had five more children. All 13 were raised together as one big family. After 30 happy years of marriage Gaby died suddenly in December 1998.

Mona took great comfort from her faith; she was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she never forgot a single birthday.

Mona loved meeting and chatting to friends, old and new. While having her chats, she would usually have a crocheting hook in her hand. She made blankets, hats and cardigans for every child she ever knew, family or not.

Mona also loved music and dancing and getting out to see the countryside. She always had a smile for everyone she met on her outings.

Mona was predeceased by her parents Jack and Eva; by her brothers Dessie and Jackie, her sisters Lilly, Aggie and Nancy and husbands Frank and Gaby.

She is survived by her 13 children: sons Eric, John, Roy, Stephen, Alan, Brian, Gabriel and Shane; daughters Jane, Joy, Mandy, Tara and Kim and partners; 26 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and brother Noel and brother-in-law Philip O'Neill.