Life’s work honoured

Wed, Mar 22nd 2006, 11:00

A lifetime of charitable contribution will be forever remembered thanks to the official naming of a new road in Widnes after a kind gardener.

Joe McKeagney, 66, is being honoured for dedicating more than 50 years to the upkeep of the grounds of Nazareth House Orphanage in Ditton, which is now being transformed into the Chapel Gate development of 104 quality homes by award wining house builder Redrow.

Joe came to the orphanage as a two-year-old in 1941, where he lived happily until he was 15. Having moved out of the orphanage he went on to work as a gardener for the then Widnes Borough Council, where he learned the skills from which so many benefited.

He was subsequently employed as a rigger with Imperial Chemicals Industries, but continued to work voluntarily on the gardens at Nazareth House and, when he took early retirement from Imperial Chemicals in 1992, he returned to working full-time as a gardener.

Joe’s wife Mary says: “Having grown up in the orphanage with over 100 other children, Joe knew no other home. There was a lot of camaraderie between them all and I think that Joe saw the work he was doing as simply looking after the ‘family home’.

“Since the 1960s Nazareth House has been used as a residential home for the elderly and Joe was very much aware of giving them a lovely environment to enjoy that would add to their quality of life.

“I know my husband is immensely proud and honoured to have McKeagney Gardens named after him and he is always delighted when people approach him with congratulations for having his good work recognised.”

The decision to name one of the roads at Chapel Gate after Joe McKeagney was made following a request from local parishioners to have the road named in Joe’s honour.

Ian Wilkins, managing director of Redrow Homes (North West), comments: “When we learned of Joe McKeagney’s long involvement with tending this area we were honoured to name the road after him. It is a fitting tribute and I am sure that our purchasers will be proud to call McKeagney Gardens their home.”

Chapel Gate in Ditton will offer a total of 104 homes, ranging from two-bedroom retirement apartments for those aged 55 plus, up to three and four-bedroom houses.

For more information on Redrow’s properties at Chapel Gate call 0151 495 2975.