15 July 1998

Despite the fact that people nowadays generally to have longer lives, there are few octogenarians in Mayo at the moment still actively pursuing their professions. Until she died suddenly in hospital on Monday morning, Moya O'Connor was one of them- working tirelessly away as a solicitor- despite the fact she was one year beyond the four score age barrier.

In fact, at 81, Moya was one of the longest serving solicitors in the country. Her death came as a painful shock to even those closest to her as she had worked in the family law practice at Market Street, Swinford on Friday, enthusiastic and seemingly as energetic as ever.

Moya was born in 1917 into a family steeped in the legal tradition. She was second child of Pat O'Connor and Nell (nee Mulligan). Pat , grandfather of the present generation of O'Connors who are involved in the legal profession.....Pat, Tom, John and Tony.....was regarded as 'father of the Mayo Bar' having presided over it as President for ten years.

After her legal studies, Moya joined her father and her brother, Val O'Connor, a Past President of the Law Society, in the family firm's Swinford office. Val was, of course, father of the aforementioned Pat, Tom, John and Tony.

Unceasingly from 194I until the day of her death, Moya O'Connor continued to practice. She was also involved in the firm's Kiltimagh office when it opened a branch there. She was Deputy Coroner in east Mayo for over 40 years. Her nephew, Pat, the current vice-President of the Law Society, is the present Coroner.

Away from work, Moya was very active in the community particularly in the charitable, ecumenical and eucharistic areas. She played golf regularly until a few years ago and was a past Lady Captain in Swinford Golf Club.

The grief for Moya's relatives is compounded by the fact that she is the last surviving member of the old generation of O'Connors who kept the legal banner flying in east Mayo for decades.

Those who have gone to their rest included her brother, John Willie O'Connor, a Circuit Court Judge and a barrister who practised on the Western Circuit for many years before he was appointed to the Circuit Court. Moya was predeceased by her sister Biddy (1964) and Cara (1992). Her brother, Val, died in 1988.

To her nephews, Pat, Tom, John and Tony, sister -in-law Kay, relatives and friends we extent our heartfelt sympathy.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998