Mary Bridget CASSIDY (1886-1967)

Graduated from Hughes Business Academy, Derry, Ireland and worked as

stenographer at the elegantly popular Rossapena Hotel in County Donegal.

Resigned position when local parish priest told her she was in danger of

losing her religion by working there. (Perhaps because she might meet and

marry a vacationing Protestant?). This incredibly bad advice caused her

considerable sacrifice because jobs were hard to get. Mary Bridget then met

Thomas Parkes, married, and relocated to Sligo. Was considered well educated

for her time with a great interest in politics. A devout Catholic, she was

image conscious and strict but very strong to have raised seven children (one

boy died an infant) with virtually no income after the death of husband, ThomasParkes.

Lived in Sligo all of her married life but relocated in her declining years to

Dublin where she lived with her daughter, Kathleen.