Máire Sweeney

On February 9th Máire T. Sweeney, 83 passed away peacefully with her daughter Fiona Keegan by her side. Máire Sweeney was born to James and Nora Sweeney in Gweedore, Donegal, Ireland in 1940. She was 1 of 5. She is predeceased by her brother Paddy Sweeney and sister Nora Sweeney. And survived by her sister Eileen Campbell and brother in law Paddy Campbell in the USA, and her brother Eamonn Sweeney and sister in law Marian and all extended family, her nieces, nephews, cousins and friends back in Ireland. Máire had a love of the Irish sea and loved poetry and her native Irish Language. Máire was fearless, following her Father's footsteps she worked at a young age at the family dairy and drove the lorry in town. She was called Máire 'n Bhainne (bhainne being the word for milk in Irish) so this was to distinguish her from the other Máires in town. Máire was destined for adventure; she went on to boarding school in Portrush Co. Antrim where she commented this opened her eyes to a world beyond rural Ireland. She then went on to college in Dublin with her eldest sister Eileen. This paved the way for her to gain confidence to travel to London where she worked at the British Foreign Embassy in London for 2 years. The lure of New York City and America certainly was something, and she was lucky that she was smart and able to navigate the terrain. She then worked at the Food Economist, embracing her love of design and cuisine, and met her late husband Mac Millian Johnson and they had 1 daughter Fiona Johnson-Keegan. With the love of the Ocean she went on to reside in Long Branch New Jersey. For the last 45 years she made the house into a Guest House for all to enjoy. Anyone who stayed at the Errigal House felt welcome and the warm touch of hospitality. My Mother’s love of making ugly things beautiful furnished the house over the years. Her Irish kitchen that she loved with a stone fireplace and mantle that was decorated every holiday season throughout the years. In the earlier years she loved to entertain and have lavish dinner parties. We still see the cows on top of the cabinets in the kitchen that encompass Ireland. She leaves behind her daughter Fiona Keegan and her son in law John Keegan and her grandsons Michael and Liam Keegan. They were her pride and joy, which she enjoyed sharing stories and playing Netball (basketball) 7 months up to her passing. She was also in the midst of teaching the Irish language to her Grandsons. While writing this, I asked them what they remember about Grandma, and they said she was kind hearted, hard working, vibrant, very optimistic and always thought of others before herself. Her family and friends can attest to this. She will be missed, but will always live on in our hearts and memories that we shared. Rest in peace beautiful soul. A Mass will be held at St. Michael’s on Friday, February 23rd at 10:30am. Committal prayers will follow at Woodbine Mausoleum in Oceanport, NJ.

Máire Sweeney

April 17, 1940 - February 9, 2024