A WOMAN whose mother survived the sinking of the R.M.S. Titantic was laid to rest on Saturday.

Mrs. Mary Kate McHugh (née McGovern), 96, was well-known across the whole of the island of Ireland due to her mother, the late Mary McGovern, being a survivor of the infamous doomed ship.

Mary Kate spent some time recently in Fermanagh with her daughter, Mary, and son-in law, Francie Rogers, in Tempo.

Mary Kate was born on September 12, 1925 in Tullytransa, Corlough, Co. Cavan to Peter and Mary McGovern, and had one brother, Hugh, who predeceased her in 1983.

Mary Kate took great pride in her mother’s role in history. Mary Kate’s daughter, Mary, said: “She was very proud of her mother for being a survivor of the Titanic.”

‘Worked miraculously’

She added: “Granny took St. Mogue’s clay with her from the monastery in Bawnboy [on her trip on the Titanic]. It protected you from fire and water – it certainly worked miraculously.”

‘Granny’ [Mary McGovern] was rescued from the Titanic on Lifeboat 13, before travelling onward to America aboard the R.M.S. Carpathia. She returned home eight years later, and married Peter McGovern.

Mary added: “We wouldn’t be here today if she hadn’t survived [the sinking].

“She died quite a young woman, at 67, on August 24, 1957, but what she experienced [during the sinking of the Titanic] must have been terrible.”

Mary paid tribute to her late mother, who lived a life where her family came first. Mary Kate married her husband, Thomas McHugh, on September 12, 1951.

Mary said: “She was a great, caring woman. She had a great devotion to her family, and no matter what happened, her family came first. Sadly, my father passed away on March 6, 1983.

“She spent some time caring for him as well when he was sick.

“Recently, she had a fall, which was a bit of a set-back and it took its toll.”

Mary continued: “In her younger years, mummy cared for her grandmother and her uncle. When she got married, she worked on the family farm. The family kept cows, turkeys, and hens. She was fond of animals.

‘A very positive woman’

“Mummy was a great woman for going out, and she was a very positive woman who always looked to the bright side of life.

“She was an extremely hard worker; she enjoyed all of the outings in her later years, and liked [going to] Bundoran, bingo, shopping or away for a few days down the south of Ireland every year.

“She also looked forward to attending Knock Shrine, as her faith was important to her.”

Reflecting on her late mother’s passing, Mary said: “I’ll miss her company, and her sense of humour. We haven’t got a big family, so we were always very close.”

Mrs. Mary Kate McHugh, of Corrachombra, Corlough died peacefully (non-Covid-related) on February 17.

Her funeral mass was at St. Patrick’s Church, Corlough, and she was buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Adrian Smith, Smith Funeral Directors.