Bredhe Raftery 1933-2007 R.I.P.

We were packing to come home from Spain today (Sun) when I got a call from my father to say my mother had collapsed and had been taken to the hospital. I have received many such calls from him in the past as my mother’s health hasn’t been good for a long time.

About an hour later though, I received another call to say she had died. She had a massive brain hemorrhage. Again. The last one, in 1997, she survived but this one was too much for her.

You suffered for a long time, may you finally rest in peace mum, we loved you and will never forget you.

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68 Responses to “Bredhe Raftery 1933-2007 R.I.P.”


  1. 1 Dennis Howlett

    Really sorry to hear of your loss Tom. No words compensate. Been there, got the scars.

  2. 2 Colin Bohanna

    Tom,
    My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
    Colin

  3. 3 Phil Wolff

    My mother died from her first brain aneurism in 1997. I still have the impulse to reach for the phone and tell her about something she would have liked. I’m sorry for your loss. Soldier on.

  4. 4 annette

    So sorry to hear about your bereavement Tom…look after yourself..

  5. 5 Pat Phelan

    My sincerest condolence’s Tom
    My thought’s are with you and your family.

  6. 6 Nofan

    Keep Strong mate, Keep Strong

  7. 7 Ben Scoble

    Hey Thomas, You don’t know me but my brother is the “Scobleizer”. I just remember when we went through this last year how the blogging community rallied behind him, so I thought I would do the same for you. My prayers are with you and your family.

  8. 8 Tom Raftery

    Thanks for the kind words everyone - they mean a lot.

    Ben, I know Robert well. When he was in Ireland with Maryam in 2005, it was me who invited him over! My wife and I took Maryam and Robert out to dinner and to the theatre. We had a great time together.

  9. 9 Walter

    Tom,

    I’m so sorry to hear this.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Walter

  10. 10 Donal

    Hi Tom,

    I’ve been lurking on this blog for a long time, but never plucked up the courage to contribute before, I suspect there are many more like me. The quality of the content is superb, and I appreciate the effort you put into it. My sincere condolences, and best wishes to you and your family at this time.

    Bonne Chance!
    - Donal

  11. 11 Sam Sethi

    Tom, sorry to hear the sad news. I lost my mother 8 years ago but it still feels like yesterday and I still miss her and occasionally still cry when things occur that remind me of her.

    But out of sight is never out of mind…

  12. 12 TDavid

    Sorry to hear of your loss, Tom. Lost my mom in 1996 and still think about her regularly.

  13. 13 Conor

    I’m so sorry about your mother’s passing.

    My sincere condolences,
    Conor D.

  14. 14 Pete Connolly

    Sorry to hear that Tom. I lost my Da last November, and I know that it hurts. Try to remember the good times, and always think and talk about her.

    Best wishes

    Pete

  15. 15 Bernie Goldbach

    May she rest in peace.

  16. 16 Bo Drejer

    Tom,
    My sincere condolences. Must be tough…
    Both my parents are quite old (78 and 80), and i find myself getting more and more worried about losing them as time goes by…
    My thoughts go to you and your family!
    /Bo

  17. 17 keith bohanna

    Thinking of you and your family Tom

  18. 18 Twenty Major

    Condolences, Tom. All the best…

  19. 19 Paul Watson

    My condolences to you and your family, Tom.

    When and where is the funeral? As an outsider to Ireland I am always amazed and impressed by the support the Irish community gives on days like this.

  20. 20 Des Field Corbett

    Tom, Sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you.

    des

  21. 21 Conor O'Neill

    Tom, I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I hope you and your family take comfort in all your great memories of her.

  22. 22 Anthony

    Condolences, Tom.

  23. 23 Kris Hoet

    Sorry to hear about that Tom, keep strong. My condolences.

  24. 24 Simon McGarr

    Sorry for your loss, Tom.

  25. 25 Catherine Wall

    Tom,I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother.
    Our thoughts are with you at present.

  26. 26 Stephen Downey

    Sorry to hear of your loss.

  27. 27 James Corbett

    Sincere condolences Tom. I lost my Dad in August and the memories are still very raw. I know what you’re going through. May she rest in peace.

  28. 28 GerryOS

    Sorry to hear your sad news, Tom.

  29. 29 Joe

    Hi Tom,

    My thoughts are with you and your family.

    all the best,

    Joe.

  30. 30 John Collins

    Very sorry to hear that Tom.

  31. 31 Julian

    Very sorry, Tom. Please accept my condolences.

  32. 32 Don Crowley

    Condolences Tom, I hope you, your father and family get through this.

  33. 33 Evert Bopp

    Tom,

    Wishing you all the strenght you need for the coming days.

    E.

  34. 34 Eoghan McCabe

    Really sorry to hear that, Tom.

  35. 35 PaulSweeney

    Very sorry to hear that Tom. It is never easy, no matter how old the mother is, or how welcome the release.

  36. 36 Michele

    Sincere condolences

  37. 37 Donncha O Caoimh

    So sorry to hear this. An aneurism took my mother in 1998. So long ago but it seems like yesterday.

    Take it one day at a time and be there for each other.

  38. 38 Tom Corcoran

    Very sorry to hear this Tom. All the best

  39. 39 Fergus Burns

    Hi Tom

    Thoughts are with you and your family at this time

    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam

    Best Regards
    Fergus

  40. 40 Steven

    My deepest sympathies.

    My prayers are with you and your family.

  41. 41 adam

    Condolences Tom, sorry to hear it.

  42. 42 Jenny Kent

    Sincere condolences Tom.

    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

    Beannachtaí to you and your family.

  43. 43 red

    Sorry to hear that Tom. Sincere condolences

  44. 44 red mum

    Sorry to hear that Tom. Sincere condolences to you and your family.

  45. 45 Paul Fabretti

    Tom

    My thoughts are with you and hope that the best wishes of many thousands of people who read the sad news goes some way to easing the pain.

  46. 46 dermot casey

    Tom

    my deepest sympathies.

    Dermot

  47. 47 Mark Webster

    Like everyone here Tom my sincere condolences. I’m at the end of the phone if you need a chat or whatever..

    Take care,
    Mark.

  48. 48 johnmryan

    Tom,

    so sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts are with you and your family at this time.

    John

  49. 49 Bryan Villarin

    My thoughts and prayers are with you, Tom…

  50. 50 Paul Walsh

    So sorry to hear of this Tom, a very good friend of mine was taken in the same way. My thoughts are with you mate.

  51. 51 Gareth Stack

    I’m terribly sorry for your loss Tom.

  52. 52 Sterling Camden

    My deepest sympathies, Tom. My father passed away nine years ago yesterday. Even when we expect such a loss for years, it finally comes as a shock.

  53. 53 Jonathan Brazil

    Tom, please accept my deepest sympathies at this emotional time for you and your family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.

  54. 54 James Hogan

    Sorry this happened man, just reading the comments left by your readers and the reaction is great, its nice to see this sense of community,

    Siriquelle

  55. 55 Tara Hunt

    I’m getting this a little late (was offline most of the weekend).

    So sorry to hear this, Tom. Chris and I send you our condolences.

  56. 56 Ken McGuire

    Sorry to read about your loss Tom.

  57. 57 Dick OBrien

    My condolences Tom.

  58. 58 Robin Wauters

    My deepest sympathies and condolences.

  59. 59 Aido

    Sorry for your loss Tom.

  60. 60 Andrea Weckerle

    My condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.

  61. 61 Dillon Thomas

    May she rest in peace.

  62. 62 Davymac

    Very sorry to hear about your mum. I know from my own experience how hard it is coming to terms with a loss like this, best wishes for strength and comfort for you and your family.

  63. 63 Philip

    Your dad is one of that quiet legion of unsung great human beings. We rarely hear about such unassuming, yet great love. Thank you for sharing that. May I offer my condolences.

  64. 64 Tracy Sheidan

    My thoughts and greatest sympathies are with you and your entire family. Your Mum is at peace now, no longer in pain.

  65. 65 Sean Foley

    Tom,

    I was saddened to hear that you mother had passed away. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.

    Sean

  66. 66 John Breslin

    Very sorry for your troubles Tom.

  67. 67 vanderwal

    I am sorry to hear of the news of your mother. I wishes are with you and yours. Peace.

  1. 1 Funeral services at Tom Raftery’s I.T. views

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