Cecelia “Cecily” Rohan (nee Kelly)
Aug 8, 1944 – Feb 5, 2021
Cecelia Rohan (nee Kelly) passed away peacefully on February 5, 2021 in New York, after a two-week battle with Covid-19 and now joins her beloved husband Bernie in heaven.
She is survived by her five children: Sheila (Jack O’Gara), Brian (Jessica Cassidy), Breege, Patrick (Theresa O’Sullivan) and Kelly (Richard FitzGerald) and 12 grandchildren: Aidan, Ailish, Fiona & Ciaran O’Gara; Terence & Bernard Rohan; Patrick & Mary Rohan; and Desmond, J.P., Anna & Louise FitzGerald.
She will be missed by her sisters Maureen and Chrissie, brothers Tommy, Pat and Gerry, her brothers and sisters-in-law in the Kelly and Rohan families, and a large extended family and friends both here and in Ireland.
A native of Castle Lambert, Athenry, County Galway, Cecily emigrated to New York in January 1963 and quickly immersed herself in the NY Irish community. Three thousand miles away from home, she met and married fellow Athenry native Bernie Rohan on July 15th, 1967.
Together with Bernie, they were loyal supporters and officers of the Galway Hurling Club and Galway Association. Cecily proudly served as the first female president of both the Galway Hurling Club and the Galway Association in New York. A sports fanatic, Cecily could be heard shouting for Galway on the sidelines of NY’s Gaelic Park many Sundays. She faithfully supported Athenry and Galway hurling on both sides of the Atlantic.
To many people, Cecily will be remembered for her overflowing love and generosity. She was like a mother to so many that traveled to New York. Whether you were a traveling GAA player, a visiting niece or nephew, or just a new face in town there was always a dinner, a place to stay and a cup of tea at Cecily’s house. During the late 1980's and early 1990's, there was a steady flow of visiting hurlers at Rohan's house.
Due to the pandemic, funeral services will be private.
Her family invites you to stream live on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 at 11am NY time - 4pm Irish Time at
https://www.mchoulfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/4520206/Rohan-Cecelia/index.php
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to charities close to Cecily’s heart: St. Elizabeth Seton hospital in Yonkers
(www.setonchildrens.org) or Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (https://guidedogs.ie)
Cecily has left us very suddenly, but her life was filled with family, friends and faith.
We ask that you light a candle, say a prayer, have a cup of tea or watch a match and think of her.
She will always be with us.
