AN independent woman with a strong work ethic who led an action-packed and happy life. That was how Mrs Evie Magnier Stockwell was described at her funeral mass in Fethard on Monday.

Aged 97, Mrs Stockwell passed away peacefully last Saturday morning after a brief illness. She spent her last days surrounded by family at her home, ready to meet her maker and be reunited with “the love of her life”, Tom Magnier, who died 60 years earlier.

Predeceased by her son Peter, she is survived by her sons David and John Magnier, and daughter Anne O’Callaghan. Less than a month ago her twin sister, Lady Mimi Manton, died.

Seven years ago the sisters shared a racehorse named We Are Ninety who went on to win a listed race. Among the many good horses to race in Mrs Stockwell’s colours was Fairyland, winner of the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes in 2018 and the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes in 2019. The 2015 Breeders’ Cup winner Hit It A Bomb also carried her silks. On the day she died, her horse Glounthaune finished second in a Group 2 race at Leopardstown at 40/1.

Staff from Coolmore Stud formed a guard of honour along the tree-lined avenue as the hearse took Mrs Stockwell through the stud farm gates for the final time on the way to the Church of the Holy Trinity.

At her funeral ceremony her grandchildren J.P. Magnier and Henry O’Callaghan gave readings. Great-grandchildren Max and Alice Wachman delivered prayers of the faithful, along with Edward Magnier, Roger O’Callaghan and Tom Magnier.

Tom Wachman recited The Lake Isle of Innisfree before family friend Dr Peter Murchan gave the eulogy.

No fear

Dr Murchan said Evie did not want any fuss or drama in her final days. She was prepared for the end and helped those around her prepare. She had no fear of dying and was “in total control, as she was throughout her life”. She displayed her teak-tough mental resolve “right to the final furlong”, he said.

Born in Cork, Evie Hallinan came from a hard-working family. Milling was their core business though her father and grandfather would go on to become directors of what eventually became Allied Irish Banks.

She was sent to school in London before being moved to Harrogate during World War II. In 1946 she met Tom Magnier at a tennis match. She told Dr Murchan of the encounter: “It was love at first sight – he didn’t stand a chance.”

They got engaged at the Cliffs of Moher and were married at 21. Four children arrived and Evie found time to not only involve herself in the running of her husband’s Grange Stud, but also to run a pub, auctioneering business and an undertakers.

The happy couple continued to play tennis and golf until Tom fell ill. “She left no stone unturned trying to find a cure. She truly cared for him but he sadly died when she was only 37.”

Instead of taking the easy option of relocating to the city or downsizing, Mrs Magnier “rolled up her sleeves and kicked on”.

Far from having a charmed existence, she held on to Grange Stud and raised her family. Cows were milked and she learned the stud business. As her children matured she was proud to see how her son John built up Coolmore, while David took over Grange Stud and also managed Castlehyde. Anne married Tony O’Callaghan and they built Tally-Ho Stud into the world-class operation it is today.

There were further setbacks along the way, Dr Murchan said. “After losing the love of her life she then lost an older brother and then her parents. Fast forward to 2000 when her son Peter was struck down by an injury. It was Evie who helped him get through that and it was hard for her when he predeceased her three years ago.”

Mrs Stockwell loved her visits to Ballydoyle. Aidan O’Brien would joke that she was a tough owner, often asking more questions than “the lads” if a fancied one didn’t win.

Nobody knows if she placed a bet though J.P. McManus revealed he occasionally played golf with her for “a stag” which was their code for the old £1 coin.

Gardening was her true passion. From her time at Lismore to Kilsheelan and finally Railway House, her gardens were always magnificent. “Simplicity and serenity was her hallmark style. Trees and shrubs her speciality.”

In later years she continued to value her independence and was most reluctant to hang up her car keys. “She drove for 77 years, had no fear of distance or of the guards,” said Dr Murchan, who admitted to coming under pressure to sign her licence renewal form on one occasion.

“But her biggest passion was people,” he said. “She loved her family, all of you, and we must thank her further family who loved her and helped her. The Praetorian Guard who minded her and still talk about her in the present tense.

“And we will now move down to Fermoy to place her to rest with the love of her life, Tom. Please mind us all, Evie, and rest in peace.”