Final farewell to golden beauty Susan O'Reilly

Susan O'Reilly

Dr Tony O’Reilly and his wife Susan with five of their six children: (left to right) Cameron, Tony, Justine, Susan and Gavin

thumbnail: Susan O'Reilly
thumbnail: Dr Tony O’Reilly and his wife Susan with five of their six children: (left to right) Cameron, Tony, Justine, Susan and Gavin
Anne Harris

It was a bleak November day in London as the children of Susan O'Reilly (nee Cameron) bade their mother, who died last week, a final farewell.

Along with their father, Tony O'Reilly, two generations of her family came together in sadness to mark the passing of a beloved mother and grandmother.

The scene could not have been further from Susan Cameron's roots. It was the early '60s when the golden Antipodean beauty caught the eye of the dashing Ireland winger Tony O'Reilly, soon to become a record-breaking Lions player.

Although already affianced, O'Reilly pursued and won Susan, daughter of a wealthy Australian mining figure, a talented pianist in her own right. Three years later, in 1962, they married and this exotic flower was transplanted to colder, northern climes - specifically to Greygates, in the suburbs of Stillorgan, where she gave birth to six children, including a set of triplets, Gavin, Caroline and Tony Jnr. The children were largely reared in Philadelphia, where O'Reilly moved the family as he headed up the international conglomerate, Heinz.

In later years, the family bought a stud farm in Castlemartin, Co Kildare.

The couple divorced in the late 1980s, but always maintained contact, especially attending family events. O'Reilly often socialised with both his ex-wife and his current wife, Lady Chryss O'Reilly (nee Goulandris), mischievously introducing them to people as "my wives".

Susan was known for her grace, beauty, compassion and diplomacy. A hostess of note, she was nonetheless proudest of her role as mother to six children (all born in the years 1963 to 1966) and grandmother to 23.

Although they are scattered far and wide, her bond with all of them was unbreakable.

Her death notice states: "A Memorial Service to celebrate this amazing woman will be held in London in April (Easter) 2015.

"All the instruments agreed the day of her death was a cold dark day." (WH Auden.)