'A special lady' who was born and raised in Tipperary celebrates her 103rd birthday in Surrey

A woman who now lives in Surrey, England but was born and raised in Glenconnor, Clonmel has celebrated her 103rd birthday.

Josephine O’Brien, who was born at Glenconnor Cottages on February 19, 1920, is looking forward to receiving her fourth commemorative medal from President Michael D Higgins, after reaching such a great age.

The second eldest of six children, Josephine says she had a very happy childhood with her siblings and her parents; James, who was a prison officer in Clonmel, and Mary.

She went to school at the Presentation Convent and moved to London at the age of 17, and during her time there lived in Shepherd’s Bush, Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney.

In 1939 she married Patrick Quinn and the couple had two daughters, Daphne, who passed away in 2011, and Cathy.

She went home to Clonmel on holiday every year, staying with her younger sister, the late Eileen Dempsey in Baron Park. She looked after her widowed mother for many years and worked hard while enjoying her jobs at Boots Chemist in Wandsworth, London, as well as working as a civil servant in Fulham and Edgware.

Sadly, Josephine was widowed at the age of just 40. She remarried ten years later and she and her husband, the late Billy Morton, spent a happy few years in Cornwall before returning to Surrey, near London, where she has lived since the age of 70.

Josephine looked after herself in her own home until six months before her 100th birthday. Following several falls, her family say she was fortunate to move into Cossins House Care Home in Cobham, Surrey, where she receives great care and love from all the staff.

Her daughter Cathy, who also lives in Cobham, works at the care home and says she is very fortunate to see her daily.

Her relatives who lived in Irishtown included the Ryans, in St Mary’s Place, and the Poyntz family. Josephine’s only living sibling is her 97-year-old sister Kathleen Daly, who lives in Sydney.

Her youngest brother was the late Alec O’Brien, who lived at the Old Bridge and her other brother was the late John O’Brien.

Her older sister Bernadette passed away when she was just 32. She was married to Joe Messenger and his parents were caretakers of the Town Hall in Clonmel.

Josephine is also wished a very happy birthday by her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family and many friends.

Outside of her family, Josephine’s number priority has always been her faith, and she attended Mass each day until she was 99.

“She’s a special lady, totally loving and giving, and it’s always about the other person with her,” says Cathy.

“There are no negatives, always positives. Every day with her is a bonus, thank God”.