Every time Maire Kilbane Leffel bakes a loaf of bread, she marks it with a cross and offers a prayer before putting it in the oven.
?I usually say the intention of the day,? Maire said, adding that she often dedicates the prayer in memory of her mother.
As one of eight children born to Irish immigrant parents Mary and Farrell Kilbane, Maire began cooking and baking at an early age to help her mother. The family lived in Cleveland?s West Park neighborhood, where they were members of St. Patrick Parish on Rocky River Drive. The children all attended St. Patrick School.
?There were a lot of us,? Maire said, recalling the bustling Kilbane household. ?I was no. 5 of the eight Kilbane kids.?
Her parents were born, raised and married in Achill, County Mayo, Ireland. She said the Catholic faith was
