A POPULAR businesswoman, who ran a supermarket in Limerick for more than 40 years, has sadly passed away.

Maria O’Leary, nee McCabe, was well known on the city’s northside for running Greystones Stores with her husband, the late Liam.

The eldest sister of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was murdered by IRA forces in Adare in 1996, she has been remembered as a “great businesswoman”, “a good friend”, and “a great mother to her family” by city auctioneer Pat Kearney.

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Pat, who is married to Maria’s sister Eileen McCabe, recalled her upbringing in Ballylongford, Co Kerry, where she initially worked in the family newsagents and grocers, the only one in the village at the time.

“She was a great entrepreneur. As a young woman, in a small place like Ballylongford, she opened a fashion shop for ladies next to the grocery shop. Then herself and her family bought a bar in Ballybunion, building up a great pub called The Old Attic,” he recalled.

There, she met her husband Liam O’Leary, and following their marriage, they relocated to Limerick, where she ran the supermarket business she is best known for.

“She built up a great business there with Liam and their five children,” auctioneer Pat added.

Following their retirement from the shop, they bought a home in Waterville, at Ennis Road, where they retired.

“Maria was a hard hard worker. She worked every minute of every day,” Pat said.

Asked how he will remember her, he added: “A loyal friend, a hard worker. Someone with great ideas for doing business.”

She also had a great sense of fun.

“She loved the craic, she loved functions, and she loved singing and dancing. She had a great party spirit,” Pat added.

Gerry Keating, the secretary of the Limerick City branch of the Garda Siochana Retired Members’ Association also said they are “deeply saddened” to hear of Maria’s passing and extended their sympathies.

One person, writing a tribute on www.rip.ie, described Maria as “the best Kerry woman ever!”

“Thank goodness the Kingdom sent her off with Sam safely home,” the tribute continued, in reference to Kerry’s victory over Donegal in last weekend’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final.

Maria died on Tuesday, July 29, peacefully at her home.

The beloved wife of the late Liam and dearly loved mother of Deirdre, Tim, Liam, Sinead and the late Fiona.

She is sadly missed by her loving son-in-law Piero, daughters-in-law Colette and Orla, her cherished grandchildren Marianne, Callum, Hannah, Eve, Ciara, Donal, Emma, Will and Liam, great-grandson Aidan, brother Mike, sisters Eileen and Kay, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Predeceased by her brother Jerry and sister Nuala.

May she rest in peace.

She will repose at Thompson’s Funeral Home at Thomas Street in the city centre on Friday, August 1 from 5pm to 6:30pm. Her funeral will arrive at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Ennis Road on Saturday, August 2 for requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in Ballycannon Cemetery, Meelick.

Her requiem Mass will be live-streamed at https://www.ourladyoftherosaryparishlimerick.ie/our-parish/web-cam/

Family flowers only please, donations if desired to the Irish Cancer Society or Milford Care Centre.

May she rest in peace.