In a poignant moment for the Irish community, Phyllis Furness, believed to be Ireland’s oldest woman, has passed away at the age of 109. Just a few months ago, she celebrated her remarkable milestone birthday at the Moycullen Nursing Home in Galway. Phyllis had hoped to reach her 110th birthday and become a supercentenarian, but she sadly passed away on 13 August 2024.

A Life Well-Lived

Phyllis Olwyn Ryder was born in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1915. She married her husband, John Furness, in 1940, and the couple moved to Ireland in 1981 after John retired. The move to Glann Road, near Oughterard, was inspired by John’s passion for angling and his desire to be close to Lough Corrib. After John’s death in 1984, Phyllis remained in Ireland, becoming an integral part of the local community, especially within Kilcummin Church.

Phyllis’s longevity and vibrant spirit were celebrated each year with commemorative coins from President Michael D. Higgins, and her room at the nursing home was adorned with framed greeting cards from the late Queen Elizabeth and King Charles III.

A Unique Farewell

In a tribute to Phyllis’s love of fashion, particularly her affinity for wearing stylish hats, her family has requested that attendees at her funeral wear hats. Her granddaughter, Jackie Ord, who traveled from Melbourne, Australia, to celebrate Phyllis’s 109th birthday, shared that wearing hats to the funeral would be a fitting tribute to Phyllis’s unique style and zest for life.

Phyllis Furness’s passing marks the end of a remarkable life that spanned more than a century. Her story is one of love, community, and a deep appreciation for the simple joys of life, such as her beloved hats. As Ireland bids farewell to its oldest resident, Phyllis’s legacy will live on in the memories of those who knew her and the stories of a life well-lived.

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