Oldest citizen of Laois passes away at 107
The late Sylvia Mary Mathews. Photo: RIP.ie
THE oldest woman in Laois has sadly passed away, just weeks after celebrating her 107th birthday.
The death of Sylvia Mathews from Portarlington, who was a resident at St Vincent's Community Nursing Unit in Mountmellick, was announced this afternoon.
She passed away peacefully on 13 January in the care of staff of St Martha's Ward, where her birthday celebrations were held earlier this month.
Her death came just the day after that of Bridget (Brin) Fitzpatrick from Ballacolla, another of the county’s oldest citizens, who passed away peacefully at home at the age of 105.
A beloved great-grandmother, Sylvia will be laid to rest next week in her hometown of Portarlington, where she had been a resident of Station Road and of Wilton, Main Street.
Her death notice published this afternoon on RIP.ie said that she passed away in her 108th year, ‘peacefully in the loving and wonderful care of the staff of St Martha's Ward' at the Mountmellick nursing unit.
The death notice states: 'Beloved wife of the late Cecil G. Mathews and mother of Stuart and Susan, grandmother of Amanda, Nicola, Charles and Nicholas, great-grandmother to Willow, Isla, William, Imogen, Anders and Theodore.
'Funeral arriving at St Paul's Church, Portarlington on Thursday 22 January for Funeral Service at 2pm. Burial afterwards in the adjoining Churchyard.
'Family flowers only, please. You can leave your condolences on the online condolence book on RIP.ie.
'The family would like to thank you for your support and understanding at this sad and difficult time.'
