Posted online: May 10th, 2007

A Letterkenny woman has been voted the Ulster Mum of the year in the Woman’s Way/ Bosch Mum of the Year 2007 Awards.
Susie Mc Bride, who was nominated by her friend Nora “nearly dropped”, when hearing she was chosen from hundreds of entrants.
As a prize the mum of five received a framed award certificate and a piece of Waterford Crystal from Bosch Domestic Appliances.
Susie now goes forward as one of five finalists for the overall prize of a €5000 Perfect Gift Card courtesy of Bosch
Ulster’s top mum feels that “life has taught me a lot of lessons, especially not to take it for granted.”
Susie is very much passionate about the problems on Donegal roads having lost one of her sons to a road accident and father to a drunk driver.
The mother of eight also lost a son to a head injury when an improperly secured goalpost fell on him and another son in his infancy.
Despite the trying times including when her son Padraig suffered a brain aneurysm aged ten, Susie said it “felt like winning the Lotto” when he got the all clear against the odds, she strives to help others.
Knowing other mothers in Donegal who had also lost children, Susie was inspired to set up a mass in her local area for those who couldn’t make the journey alone. A mass is held annually on December 8th and rotates between three parishes (Gweedore, the Rosses and Cloich Cheann Faola).
The super mum has also studied and passed exams to become a boxing judge. She figured she may as well and she spends a lot of time travelling to competitions with one of her sons!
Nominations for the fourth year of the event were received from children, friends, siblings and spouses describing incredible women who have touched so many people’s lives and continue to do so.
This year’s judges are: Lorraine Keane; John Creedon; Frances Black; Miriam Ahern; Carmel Smith; Dana Rosemary Scallon; Constance Cassidy; Lorraine Dundon (Bosch); Norah Casey; Simone Kenny.