Scottish Catholic Observer

The 12 days of Christmas will never be quite the same again for our family. Dad died on Christmas Eve, Mum on the Feast of the Epiphany. As we begin a new chapter in our lives, I offer an insight into the parents who shaped our lives and our Faith.

My sister Mary and brother Jimmy jointly presented this pen portrait of Mum’s life at Mum’s funeral Mass, celebrated before a full church with 21 priests and two bishops concelebrating. For a woman who never wanted to be in the limelight it would have embarrassed her beyond belief. It was no more than she deserved.

“Our Mum, Bridget Moran, more familiarly called ‘Bid’ Moran from Muirkirk, was in fact born in Chapelhall in Lanarkshire. Her parents Jimmy Moran and Mary Boland had moved there, as so many did in the 1920’s to where the work was. They were soon to move back to Muirkirk their home village with this latest addition to their growing family. Bid Moran was born on August 27, 1926 the third of eight children. He older siblings were Mary—Aunty Moll—and Jimmy, then Mum, then there were Margaret and Annie and Mick and Bill and Patricia. Only Annie and Mick have outlived Mum and both are in poor health. Mick celebrated his 80th Birthday the day that Mum died.

“Mum’s life was in many respects absolutely ordinary. She left school as most did in those days at 14. There was little option. Her dad Jimmy Moran had died when Mum was 12 and Aunty Pat the baby of the family, only one week old. Mum became a domestic servant in Ayr and during this time she met and she married our Dad, Dave McGhee in St Thomas’ Muirkirk September 6, 1946 a few days after her 20th birthday. If there is anything remarkable in the story of this couple who married over 65 years ago it was that they had 65 years together. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September last year with Mass in their home and their family round them.

“They brought up 10 children. This is also fairly remarkable. Edward, Mary, Jimmy, David, Anne, Patricia, Gerry, Pauline Jacqueline and Philip. Three children in their 60s, five in their fifties and the other two catching up fast. Not bad for a ‘wee wummin’ who just made five feet and no more. Mum was the original multi-tasker. She had to be. It was not just that our house was filled with children, other people’s children were also welcome and welcomed. Most of you will be familiar with the miracle of the loaves and fishes, for Jesus this was a one off, Bridget achieved it on a fairly regular basis. No matter how many showed up they all got fed. Mum was what is called in these politically correct days, a home-maker, and she was certainly that. Ours was a home full of life, energy, more than our share of love and laughter and occasionally a tear or two which would be soothed with a wee, ‘ner ner!’ On the occasions that screams were heard it was always on a Saturday afternoon when the wrestling on the telly was in black and white and Mick McManus was causing havoc. The doctor told her she had to stop watching it as it was bad for her blood pressure.

“Not unsurprisingly as we were growing up Mum had little free time. Her time off was a Tuesday evening spent at St John’s Women’s Guild. The parish community here in St John’s Cumnock was not just the centre of her prayer life it was the centre of her social life. Mum and Dad were parishioners here for 60 of their 65 years together. They came to Cumnock to live on December 21, 1951 and stayed there until July last year when their failing health and mobility necessitated a move. In her own quirky way in these last few months when she would reminisce, she would talk about her and Dad ‘when they were at home.’ 72 Netherthird Road was always home. It was home to them and to us.

“As she watched her large family grow and flourish, life became a little easier. We were all encouraged to choose our own career path. The diversity of these career choices is another testament to her success as a mother. We were allowed to be ourselves. Daughter and sons in law were welcomed into the family. Grandchildren and great grandchildren were loved and cherished. When Dad retired they became much more financially independent. They could afford to take holidays abroad and they made the most of this new found freedom. Mum loved going on holiday. She also took up bowling and even managed to win a trophy. She had to give up when she slipped on a wet mat and fell and broke her leg.

“Mum never sat still for long. She needed to be on the go. Her great frustration in the latter part of her life was not to be able to get about as quickly as she used to. A few days before she died she was still lamenting that she could no longer get on her feet and do anything. Patience was not her strong suit. Bridget liked things done yesterday. She set high standards for herself and expected us to follow suit. The woman that we take our leave of today was Dave’s Bid, small in stature powerful in every other way. Dad was distraught at Mum’s terminal illness. He could not deal with it. Strangely, Mum’s prayer was that Dad would go before her. She was so concerned that he would simply not cope without her. She was as stunned as the rest of us when Dad died on Christmas Eve. She told us she wouldn’t be praying for anything else. When Dad died, Mum was already failing significantly. Not only was she not afraid of dying she welcomed the prospect of being with Dave again. When she was receiving the Sacrament of the Sick, our Edward was in tears and had difficulty getting the prayers out. Mum’s response was simple and typical, ‘If you can’t say the words, just say a wee Hail Mary!’ Our Mum was a woman of simple but very strong faith. That faith is being rewarded in the joy of being reunited with Dave in God’s Kingdom.”

May they rest in peace.