Obituary of Philomena McGrath

Philomena (Mena) Jane McGrath, beloved co-owner of The Black Sheep Pub in Murray Hill, Manhattan, died suddenly on Thursday, February 17th at New York University Hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. She was 81 years old. Mena was born Philomena Monaghan to parents PJ and Sarah Monaghan on September 2nd, 1940, in Moneyvriece, just outside of Ederney, County Fermanagh, Ireland. She immigrated to New York in the 1970s and went on to marry her Ederney neighbor, Tom McGrath, in 1977. The two started several Irish bars together and raised their beautiful daughter, Kelli. They were married for 45 years. Mena was known for her tenacity and strength, which drove her to open her own hair salon business in Ireland, become the first woman to own a car in her hometown, move to a new country, and build a successful life half a world away from the small town where she was born. Philomena is survived by her husband, Tom, her daughter, Kelli, her son-in-law Michael, her siblings Catherine, Ita, John, Mairead, and Pauric, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister May, and her brother Eugene. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, February 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Church, 44-04 Skillman Avenue, Sunnyside, Queens. Mena was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.