Passing of popular Mayo woman in US is widely mourned
The death has taken place in America of Mrs. Mary Partland (née Toolis).
Aged 88, she was wife of the late Francis Leo McPartland.
The decreased was daughter of the late Michael Toolis and Ann Toolis (née Gallagher) and was born in the village of Cabaun, Keel, Achill Island.
The eldest of 11 children, she was one of five girls - Mary, Bridie, Bernadette, Margaret and Catherine - now all deceased with the exception of Bridie, who still resides in Cabaun close to the family home.
Mary had six brothers Packie (RIP), Michael Edward (Australia), John Greg (Achill), Eugene (Dublin) and twins Edward (Dublin) and Tom (Castlebar).
Mary emigrated to America at the age of 20 with her younger sister Bridie.
They resided in Brooklyn where she met and married her husband Frank, a native of Co. Leitrim.
They emigrated on November 27, 1954, in the ship, ‘RMS Saxonia’, which departed from the port of Cobh in Cork.
It was the ‘Saxoina’s’ maiden voyage and the ocean crossing was extremely rough.
When they arrived in New York harbour the ship was greeted by bagpipes and music welcoming the new ship on its historic voyage.
They were met by their aunt Molly (Ann’s sister) and her husband Johnny Patten and lived with them in Brooklyn. They were both heartbroken and homesick to have left Mayo.
Mary was known for her great sense of humour and love of Jack Russell terriers and ballroom dancing.
She received her New York State hairstyling licence in 1985.
She was a loving mother and grandmother and is also survived by her sons Frank (Donna) of Arlington, Virginia, and John of Malden; a daughter, Ann Marie McPartland Wilhelmi, of Fountain Inn; and grandchildren Shane McPartland, Myles McPartland, Tyler and Tanner Wilhelmi.
Mary is also survived by her sister-in-law Eilis McPartland of Waltham, Massachusetts and Helen Loftus of Maywood, New Jersey.
In addition to her husband and parents she was also predeceased by her daughter Maureen.
A Funeral Mass will be held next Friday (August 18) at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Woodruff Road, Simpsonville.
Burial will follow in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.