Marie Bernadette Rahilly

Marie Bernadette Rahilly (nee Madden), age 89, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2021 at the Forest Hills Care Center in Cincinnati, Ohio following a short illness. She was born at 44 Fontenoy St., Dublin, Ireland on September 8, 1931 to Thomas and Rose Madden (nee Geraghty), and grew up in Inchicore, Dublin. Bernadette met her future husband, Daniel Joseph Rahilly of Castleisland, County Kerry when he served with the Garda Siochana (police force) in Dublin. They became engaged in 1957 after which Dan emigrated to Canada. Following a lenghty hospitalization for tuberculosis, Bernadette was finally permitted to emigrate to Canada and the couple were married at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Elliot Lake, Ontario on July 29, 1959. Elliot Lake was known at the time as the "uranium capital of the world" because the majority of the western world's uranium used for nuclear arms and electrical power during the Cold War originated in the mines of Elliot Lake. Dan worked at one of the uranium processing plants. While they resided in Elliot Lake, their only child Patricia was born in 1964. The family left Canada in late 1965 for California but eventually settled in the Detroit area. In 1979 Dan tragically died at age 45 of cancer and his remains are buried in Clougher Cemetery outside of Castleisland.

In addition to her beloved husband, Bernadette was predeceased by her parents and siblings Sylvester, Dermott, and Toddy Madden, Joan and John Mulrooney, and Veronica Phillips. She is also survived by brother and sister in law Desie and Rita Madden of County Kildare, Ireland, sister Rosaleen Madden of County Wicklow, and numerous nieces and nephews in Ireland and France.

Bernadette, as her dearest Irish friend so aptly described her was "the most ladylike Irish woman she had ever known." But Bernadette will always be best remembered as a devoted mother to loving daughter Patricia and son-in-law of 33 years Tim McDonald, and an exceptional Nana to the joys of her life, granddaughters Bridget Rose and Katharine Marie McDonald. She was blessed with the ability to make many loyal wonderful friends wherever she lived and will be sorely missed by many in Ireland, Canada, Northville and Farmington Hills, Michigan. She leaves us a rich legacy of lasting memories and love.

Ní imithe uainn atá si, ach imithe romhainn
(She is not gone from us, but before us)

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam
(Rest in Peace/May her soul be at Gods right side)

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday May 28, 2021 at St. Rose Church, 2501 Riverside Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio from 9 AM to 10 AM with a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 AM. Due to the COVID pandemic restrictions, Bernadette's remains will be interred in Ireland at a later date to be determined by the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests your prayers and if you wish, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul of Cincinnati, Ohio in her memory.