Two remarkable Offaly parents honoured at national awards

An Offaly mother who tragically lost three of her five children has received an award for her “courage and compassion”.

Marie White from Mucklagh has in her own words had a hard life.

She and her husband Raymond lost their first child, Edwin, on Christmas Eve in 1975 four a half months after his birth. He became ill after complications during child birth.

Following Edwin's untimely death the couple, who had been living in England, moved back to Ireland and within two years had their second son, Marcus.

Marcus was poorly as a young child and at the age of three was eventually diagnosed with hypoglycemia in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Doctors told Marie and Ray that as a result of his condition he would die or end up brain damaged. Marie was pregnant at the time of Marcus's diagnosis and sadly lost her baby four months into her pregnancy.

The Whites' heartbreak continued a few years later when their beloved five-year-old daughter Catriona was killed in a car crash around a mile from the family home. Ray was also seriously injured in the accident and spent a year in hospital.

In 1987, Marie gave birth to the youngest member of the family Jerome, who today is a doctor in Tullamore.
As a baby Jerome was also diagnosed with hypoglycemia. Thankfully both he and his older brother Marcus grew out of the condition and haven't had to take medication since they were children.

A woman of deep faith, Marie says that it is her religious belief that sustained her during the many difficult times she and her family have experienced.

“It was prayer that kept me going. The only thing I said was that I won't be afraid to die because they will be there to meet me.

“...It's something you never get over, you learn to live with it, but you don't get over it.”

The now grandmother of one was nominated in the People Award in the Special Merit for Courage and Compassion category at the Boots Maternity and Infant Awards by Sonya Duggan from Laois.

She got to know Marie and her life story thanks to her husband Seamus, who stayed with the Whites during the Ploughing Championships for the last two years.

“Her life has been tragic in some respects and one cannot imagine the grief she has been through, but the strength, bravery, perseverance and positivity she continues to have is nothing short of admirable,” Sonya says.
Marie said that she was surprised but pleased to have received an award.

“ I have been through the mill and back again but it was great award but I was really grateful to the man and his wife who nominated me. I couldn't believe it. We had a great day. It was beautiful.”

Marie wasn't the only Offaly winner at the awards. Birr's Keith Lynam was a worthy winner of the Dad of the Year award.

Shortly after his son Archie's birth Keith noticed that the baby's breathing was laboured. Although three doctors told him it was normal, he insisted his son visit a neonatologist. It was lucky he did as it was discovered that Archie’s airways had not fully developed.

Without Keith’s persistence, the outcome could have been potentially devastating. Keith's wife Emma says that she and her children are very proud of him.

“I just keep thinking, ‘What if I didn’t have him?’ Other people don’t have this support. I’m so grateful for him. We’re delighted that we’re not the only people that know he’s Dad of the Year anymore. Everybody else can verify it for him now!”