News
In Profile This Month: Josephine (Jo) Fagan
Name:
Josephine (Jo) Fagan
Address:
German Road, St. John’s Park, Waterford
Personal Details:
Born in Gort, Co. Galway in 1913. Jo is the eldest of a family of 5. Her brothers and sisters are now all deceased.
Moved to Dublin as a teenager, to work in the Burlington Hotel. Started in Hotel in wash-up, was promoted to senior waitress over time.
Married Gerard, a Dubliner and their three children were all born in Dublin.
Jo has two Sons and Two daughters, 13 Grand children and 9 Great grand-children.
Moved to Waterford in 1953, as Gerard secured a senior position in the “Paper Mills”. Jo was devastated at the news they were moving to Waterford, but once they arrived here they never looked back. Jo says “Waterford was just like home in Gort, the people and environment was very friendly”.
The Fagan family were one of the early residents on the German Rd., which at that time had a very international feel to it. The majority of the residents living on the road were German, Italian, Scottish or Dublin. Very quickly a strong community developed on the road, and that community spirit has continued right up to the present.
In Waterford Jo and Gerard became involved in voluntary work, and through this work built a very large circle of friends. The happiest day for Jo and Gerard was when they adopted a child. This event brought them immense joy. Jo devoted 30 years as a volunteer worker at the “Women’s Hostel” in Lady Lane. In addition to this Jo has been associated with a number of other charities down through the years.
Gerard died in 1978, and this was a great sadness for Jo. The support of her family and friends was very important to her at this difficult time.
Interests and Hobbies:
Travel
Has travelled extensively in France and Italy. Has visited all the main Marian Shrines in Europe, and visited the Holy Land. Jo’s favourite place from all the locations she visited is Rome.
The Fagan family always kept in close contact with their relations in Galway and Dublin. Each year the entire family would pack up and moved to Gort for a few days, and then move on the Dublin for another few days.
T.V.
A keen follower of Soccer on TV. Favourite Soap – “Fair City”, but equally follows all the other soaps.
Other Activities:
Plays “Whist”, “Pongo” and “Bingo” on a weekly basis.
Is an avid reader
Daily Routines:
Mass every morning.
Daily contact with friends and family.
Views on Waterford:
Waterford City has improved dramatically over the 55 years that Jo has lived here. These improvements have all been for the better, and they have not changed the people. Jo believes that Waterford is a great place to live and its people are friendly and caring.
Keys to Health and Happiness:
Jo has never suffered any major illness and has never been hospitalised. She attributes her great health to “not getting worked-up with life, having a good sense of humour, a lot of faith and walking. For many years Jo would not take the bus into town as she saw the distance from St. John’s Park to the city as “a short run”. Jo’s philosophy on life is “that you enjoy everyday because you do not know what goes everyplace with her is in the future”Jo says“Our Blessed Lady”, and this is one of her greatest comforts and supports.
Proudest Moments:
The achievements of all the members of her family. The spirit of neighbourliness in her community.