Mary Ellen Geaney

BIOGRAPHY

Geaney was born to a farming family in Knockananig, County Cork, Ireland, on 2 January 1886. Her mother was Mary Kiely-Geaney (1842–1933). She had two brothers: Michael Geaney (1878/9–1969) and William Geaney (1880/1–1971). She spent most of her life working on the farm and did heavy manual work.

Reportedly, she was supposed to travel on the Titanic, intending to follow the man she was going to marry, but her trip was canceled when her mother became ill. She never married nor had children. She flew for the first time at the age of 97.

At the age of 110, she was deaf in one ear and had very bad eyesight. She was known as “Ciss”.

Geaney passed away at St Patrick’s Hospital in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, on 5 April 1996, at the age of 110 years, 94 days.

RECOGNITION

On 2 November 1993, following the death of 108-year-old Margaret Cranny, she became the oldest living person in Ireland.

Her age was verified by Finbarr Connolly, and validated by the ESO on 15 March 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Mary Ellen “Ciss” Geaney” – Find A Grave

* “Ciss Geaney” – Ireland’s Oldest People

* “Cork Woman 107 Years Old” – Raidió Teilifís Éireann, 1993

* “110 year old woman is buried” – The Irish Times, 10 April 1996

GALLERY

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