Irish woman Maureen Sweeney who helped alter the course of World War II dies aged 100
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Maureen Sweeney, at just 21, prevented the loss of thousands of soldiers’ lives on the beaches of Normandy
Maureen Sweeney, who unwittingly helped to save the world by pinpointing a storm which could have devastated the D-Day landings, has died aged 100.
On June 3, 1944, the night of her 21st birthday, Ms Sweeney was taking pressure and temperature readings at Blacksod weather station on Ireland’s west coast as part of her duties as a post office assistant.
The readings from Mayo were crucial as they were the first sign of weather coming across the Atlantic two days in advance.
General Eisenhower had planned D-Day for June 5, but it was delayed after Maureen reported a dramatic drop in pressure pointing to a coming storm over the beaches.
Maureen’s updated readings were passed to Eisenhower, who gave the signal to invade on June 6. Critically, the Germans’ information was not as accurate.
A notice on RIP.ie said Maureen died “peacefully in her 101st year, surrounded by her loving family” at a nursing home in Belmullet.
Her funeral mass will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Aughleam, on Friday at noon followed by burial in Faulmore Cemetery.
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