Hibernians to honor Irish ‘mayor’

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NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will honor Patricia Sheedy on Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, as this year’s Irish Mayor for the Day.

Sheedy, a longtime Naugatuck resident, will be recognized during a ceremony at the St. Francis Church hall on Church Street following an 11 a.m. mass at the church.

The ceremony will also feature a dance performance by members of the Horgan Academy of Irish Dance and bagpipe music by Angus MacDonald, according to Naugatuck Ancient Order of Hibernians President Kevin Knowles. Corned beef and cabbage will be available for purchase during the event.

Naugatuck Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians President Mary Ann Sigworth said Sheedy was chosen because of her commitment to the organization.

“She is the type of member that every club would like to have,” Sigworth said. “She volunteers for everything and she comes to everything. She is devoted to faith, her church, and she is a wonderful person.”

For her part, Sheedy, 66, said she didn’t expected to be named the Irish Mayor of the Day.

Sheedy said she was shocked and honored when she found out.

Sheedy is the widow of John Sheedy, Sr., whose parents emigrated from Ireland. Sheedy has one son, John Sheedy, Jr., and two grandchildren, Keelyn and Norah Sheedy. Before retiring, Sheedy worked at Uniroyal, Everybody’s Market, and Liberty Bank, formerly Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan.