The whole of clan Morrissey turned out to help Margaret, seated third from left, celebrate her 49 years in GVM, Kilmallock
photo Ita West
After almost half a century Margaret Noonan has called time on her career with Golden Vale Marts and has retired after 49 years of dedicated service.
Other than a brief six month spell in the Deerpark, Margaret has worked with GVM since she left school in 1972.
Margaret was interviewed by Tom Nelligan and Brendan Danaher who immediately offered her a position in GVM. In addition to her mart work she was also a personal secretary to Michael Moroney. Margaret worked closely with and gave great support to a few mart managers namely Blaise Brosnan, Tom Foley, John Flynn, Kevin Leahy and more recently PJ Buckley.
In addition to the many temporary staff that Margaret has worked with, some of Margaret’s permanent Kilmallock mart office colleagues included John Keane, Tom Nelligan, Josephine Connolly, Maria Quane, Patricia Boyce, Mary Garvey, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Nora Russell, Cecilia McNamara, John Walsh, Denis Kirby and of course a special mention should go to her great friend and colleague Sheila Hogan. Margaret and Sheila travelled to and from work together and were inseparable friends until Sheila’s untimely passing in January 2018.
Speaking at a function to mark the retirement of one of the company’s stalwarts, newly appointed Chief Executive, GVM Group Maurice Lyons said “I have found Margaret to be a problem solver and she does this without any fuss, she is dedicated to her work and to GVM, honourable, honest to the bone, compassionate, supportive to colleagues and customers, intelligent, approachable and a mentor to new staff which she again has recently shown when helping Marion, Clodagh, Caroline and Maureen learn the ropes. GVM, its customers and all of her colleagues have benefited hugely from the astute decision that Tom Nelligan and Brendan Danaher made in 1973 when they hired Margaret.
“The large attendance here tonight is testament to how much respect customers and colleagues have for Margaret and I’m sure I would speak on behalf of everyone here by wishing Margaret a long, healthy and happy retirement,” Mr Lyons added.
Acknowledging Margaret said “I would like to thank Golden Vale Marts, my family, all my work colleagues and good friends for wishing me a happy retirement.
“I am so grateful that you remembered my special evening, the heart-warming wishes and gifts were very much appreciated. On your behalf, I have made a donation to Pieta House.”