Page 72 - Greystones Archaeological Historical Society

BEATRICE GUNNING: A GREYSTONES LIFE

marriage as was the custom, and decided to devote her time to
bringing up their children, Averil, Alvin, Roberta and Ian, all of
whom still live in Greystones.

The late 1950s were difficult for Beatrice and John, with John
having to leave Ireland to find work in England and they both
found this separation hard. But luckily, as things improved, John
was again able to find work in Ireland. Beatrice was a great cook
and baker and is still known for her wonderful wedding cakes.

As well as being a busy housewife, Beatrice also took on the
job of being the 'call out officer' for the Greystones Fire Brigade.
The tender was housed in the garage of Malvern and it was
Beatrice’s job to raise the alarm in the event of a fire. Any free
time she had was spent on improving the community in which
she and her family lived. In 1969 the need for a credit union in
Greystones became apparent, and Beatrice, along with Denis
Kelly, Nancy O’Neill, Jimmy Harmon, Maureen Lindsey and
Walter Verbruggan, had many meetings in a small bedroom in
the La Touche Hotel, before opening the Greystones and District
Credit Union in St Killian's Hall at the Harbour. Beatrice took over
the running of the office. She was awarded the Credit Union
Person of the Year, and she was also awarded the Pauline
Cottinger Award for her long and dedicated voluntary service to
Greystones and District Credit Union.

Over the years Beatrice has dedicated much of her free time
to many voluntary groups, such as Greystones Civic Association.
She served as supervisor in St David’s School, and helped run
their 300 Club draw. She also worked on the fund-raising
committee for St. Brigid’s School. Beatrice is also extremely
proud of her involvement with the Greystones and District Active
Retirement Association, where she served as chairperson and
helped make it the wide-ranging association it is today. She also
helped set up the Sugarloaf Bridge Club in 1997.
68