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Madigan Muses: Family Involvement and Honorees
- iIrish Admin
- December 27, 2024
- Edited 11 hours ago
Table of Contents
By Marilyn Madigan
As we prepare for a New Year, let us first look back at the last year. This past year was very special for me. I concluded my term as National President of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.
As the Past President, I can look back on the achievements of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and feel very proud. I am most proud of my goal at the National Convention in 2016 of erecting a Wayside Marker for the Nuns of the Battlefield Monument. The marker was dedicated this past September.
At the dedication, I was honored to have special guests that made the day extra special. The Monument was the dream of one of my Hibernian role models: Past National President Ellen Ryan Jolly. Jolly’s Great-granddaughter Jacqueline was present to assist me in the unveiling of the monument.
This monument was one of the first monuments that the Hibernians made possible. Many other monuments have been made possible because of the efforts of one of my Hibernian Brothers, Jack O’Brien.
Jack was one of the driving forces behind my efforts to make the wayside marker a reality. For the past eight years, Jack helped to guide me with the National Park Service and he was instrumental in making the connections with the Jolly family.
On that day in September, I was with Jack when I first saw the marker. What a gift to see it first with him. Writing this, I am sad because Jack has been called home to God.
I am also encouraged, because I know he will be directing us with other worthwhile projects from heaven. This also speaks to me of how important the people in our lives are in making our time special.
Here in Cleveland, there are many individuals that are as committed as Jack O’Brien was in promoting our Irish Heritage. Last month, I wrote about the family connections with the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Parade Honorees
Shannon Corcoran will be leading a fine group this year. She will be joined by the Irish Mother of the Year Mary Murphy Joyce, Co-Chairs Katie Cooper Schmitt and Michael Conkey. More next month about the Parade Honorees.
Working on the Parade Committee, I am honored to work with a great group of individuals. As President of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, I wanted our younger members to be recognized for their dedication and commitment to our Irish Heritage. The Irish Echo recognizes these young Irish Americans with their 40 under 40 Award.
During my term as President, twelve Young Women Hibernians have been honored. Last year, Bridget Linton from Akron was honored. This year, I decided that my nominee should be a young woman that caught my interest from the Parade Committee, Bree Gurry. It was my pleasure to nominate my Hibernian Sister Bree. I was so happy when she notified me that she was selected as one of the first ten.
We are so lucky in Cleveland to so many individuals committed to promoting our Irish Heritage. Many of those individuals will be recognized by their Clubs this St. Patrick’s Day. Congratulations to the West Side Irish Honorees; Man of the Year Tom Nagel, Women of the Year Christine O’Donnell, Queen Bridget Chambers, Volunteers of the Year Elizabeth and Mary Bridget Lavelle. We are still waiting to hear who the Honorees from the Irish American East Side and the Hibernian of the Year.
Family connections are very important, as demonstrated by the Honorees this Year. Bridget Chambers is the daughter of the West Side Irish American Club’s President, Danny Chambers. Both her Chambers and Campbell relatives have been active in the community for years.
I am so happy that two of my favorite people, Liz and Mary B. are being recognized. They truly follow in their parents Pat and Gerry’s footsteps in giving back to the West Side Irish American Club.
Every year at St. Colman’s there is a bright light that shines down on the marchers. It is Gerry, and this year it will be extra bright.
As we start this New Year, let us remember those who we love and are no longer with us, and cherish all those still with us. Let’s make this a wonderful year.
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Marilyn Madigan
*Marilyn Madigan is a Registered Nurse recently retired from University Hospital. She is an amateur Historian and served as National Irish Historian 2014-2016 for the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and is currently serving as National Secretary.
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