Bridget O'Hara

Bridget O'Hara, 78, of Jacksonville, FL Syracuse, NY and Tipperary Ireland, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2022, after a long 10 year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Bridget was born on November 21, 1943, to Jack “FaFa” and Peg “Granny” McCarthy in Tipperary, Ireland. She will be joining her parents as well as all of her siblings in Heaven; her older sister -Mary McCarthy Sammon, her younger brother Arthur McCarthy, and youngest brother Michael "Uncle Face" McCarthy.

 After graduating from St. Patrick's High school in 1961 she met her husband Edward Arthur O'Hara III.  They married in 1966 with her best friend/sister Mary as her Matron of Honor.  They had 4 children together; Sean, Shannon, Edward, and Deirdre. 

She went back to school to study nursing in Onondaga Community College in 1978 After graduation, she landed her first job as a nurse at Van Dyne then went onto Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital where she thrived in the Progressive Care Unit, PCU and proceeded to make friends that would last her whole life.

Our mother, Bridget's greatest passion in life was to take care of people. She illustrated this by; raising her 4 children, by being a selfless friend, and working as a nurse in the; Progressive Care Unit, Detoxification Unit, and later in Florida in Hospice.  She was such an amazing mother, Aunt, Sister, Cousin, Friend because she took time for everyone and included everyone.  She was notorious for throwing the best parties.  She celebrated everyone that she loved by throwing her famous parties to commemorate all their birthdays, holidays, promotions, weddings, and births.  Bridget's parties, big and small, were a metaphor for her life; everyone was invited and everyone had a role to work/play. She was quite the manager of special events and never really saw herself that way; she just loved doing it. She worked very hard to make everyone feel loved, included, and special but would also drop everything to help out someone in need.  Everyone that knew her reciprocated in kind.

Bridget was passionate about many other things as well, her bible study, continuing her education, Cancer Survivor's Group, cooking for an army, and her favorite pastime gardening.  Bridget came from Ireland to the United States when she was 11 years old.  Once she owned a home in Syracuse on Hensberry Rd, her cousins, Joe & Una as well as Tony and Nora McCarthy,  from Ireland would always come and see her.  These visits were some of the happiest times of her life. Bridget was the 'original Airbnb' without the fees. She inspired her children so much that their careers were in Hospitality.  

Bridget moved back 'Home' to Ireland in 1994 - 1996. She loved Ireland and hosted all of us there in the little cottage that she rented, and of course, threw the best parties.  She moved to Jacksonville, Fl 1996, and continued all of her traditions.  She survived breast cancer in 2004.

Bridget was passionate about her gardens and created a beautiful one in every home that she had.  If she wasn’t hosting everyone in her home with a lot of food and drink she could be found outside playing in her garden.  We will miss her greatly. To view A Life Well Lived please  https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/BridgetOhara/

Bridget was predeceased by her Father John 'Jack, FaFa' , mother Margaret, 'Peg, Granny', Sister Mary, Brothers Arthur, and Michal. She is survived by her 4 children; Sean, Shannon, Ward, and Deirdre and her brother in law Brendan Sammon and beloved Nephews;  Joseph {Bridget},  John {Caroline, and their kids Jessica, Brendan, Jacquelyn, Jared}, Brian {and his children Brendan, Katie, and Brianna}, Michael {Jennifer and their kids Ryan & Jack}, David {Kimberly and their children Aiden and Katelyn 'Sissy') Sammon and Desmond McCarthy.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers please send a donation to the non-profit Alzheimer's Association https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=727994&fr_id=1060&pg=fund. In Honor of my mother, we too will be celebrating her life at a date in the spring yet to be determined.

The photos are from one of Mom's favorite photo albums.  Please feel free to add any photos, anecdotes, and condolences.  If you have any issues please email me directly, [email protected]