Sarah (Sally) Cussen

On April 9, Sarah (Sally) Cussen of Chipman Way, Kingston, turned 100. She was born in the tiny village of Bántroughard, near Kilkerrin, County Galway, Ireland. She was the ninth of eleven children born to Ann (McDonough) and (Máirtín Mor) Martin Connolly. Her brothers were the late Pádraig and Thomas with sisters the late Margaret & Mary Connolly, Delia Bonang, Julia Anderson, Barbara Conley, Nan Frazor, Catherine Doherty and Nora Brodie. Her ninety-six year-old baby sister, Winnifred (Lally) Anderson resides in Mullagh Kells, CO Meath, Ireland.

Born on April 9, 1909, Sally spent her early years on the beautiful western coast of Ireland. However, with local industry limited to a small seaweed processing plant, the family farm not big enough to support eleven children, and no Catholic employment then allowed by the British in government, postal services, or police, Sally migrated to America, following seven of her sisters, who settled in cities such as Chicago, Portland, ME, and Boston.

Sarah (Sally) Cussen in 1929

In 1936, Sally married Maurice F. Cussen, an immigrant from Charleville, Cork, Ireland. They were married for sixty-one years and were the proud parents of five children: the late Maurice Jr. of Stuyvesant, NY, the late Catherine of Canton, MA, David of Sarasota, FL, Marilyn of Middleboro, MA, and Richard of Kingston. Sally also has eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Sally’s current activities include watching the Red Sox (except if they’re losing), playing cards, watching Mass and saying the Rosary on television, and visiting with family, while enjoying an occasional glass of Irish whiskey or a gin and tonic. Sally’s vibrant spirit and generous nature continue to be a blessing for her friends and family. Happy 100^th birthday, Nana!