Phyllis Furness, reputed to be the eldest individual in Ireland, has recently passed away. A few months prior to her death, she was honoured on her 109th birthday, in Galway. Phyllis’ granddaughter, Jackie Ord, journeyed from Melbourne, Australia, to partake in the celebrations at Moycullen Nursing Home on May 23rd. Phyllis expressed her aspiration to become a supercentenarian by seeing her 110th birthday.
Phyllis was born in Nottinghamshire, England, as Phyllis Olwyn Ryder. She moved to Glann Road near Oughterard in 1981, along with John, her husband, as part of their retirement plans. Her husband wanted to live close to Lough Corrib owing to his fondness for fishing. After losing her husband in 1984, she relocated closer to the Oughterard village. She spent the majority of her remaining life there, until she moved to the Moycullen Nursing Home the previous year.
Phyllis became a popular figure in the community following her arrival in Galway four decades ago, and was notably involved in the Kilcummin Church. She and her husband, John, who were wed in 1940, had a son, also named John, who was born in 1942 and passed away in 2012.
Her room in Moycullen was adorned with framed greetings from the late Queen Elizabeth and the reigning British royalty, King Charles and Queen Camilla. Additionally, since her 100th birthday, she received annual commemorative coins from President Michael D Higgins.