We are proud to continue our blog series where we meet with and learn more about our dedicated board members.
In this edition, we speak with long‑standing board member and former Chairperson, Tony Mahon. We hope you enjoy reading Tony’s story as much as we did putting it together.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Tony Mahon. I’m married with five children, and I’m also a bereaved parent. Our youngest daughter, Alma, passed unexpectedly and tragically in 2012. I spoke with Alma at circa 20:30 on the 4th July and she was full of ‘beans’ sharing her plans for the following day, but unfortunately she got sick in her sleep that night and choked. Life changed profoundly after that. We also became full‑time carers for one of Alma’s two children, Jamie, who has lived with us since her passing. My daughter Denise took Jamie’s younger brother Leon. Both boys are very much part of our family story.
I’ve always been active in volunteer organisations. I spent over 30 years in the Reserve Defence Forces and have served on various committees, both professional and community‑based. Outside of that, my professional career was in sales and marketing, including more than two decades on the main board of DPS Engineering (now Arcadis DPS), where I managed large teams across Ireland and Europe.
How did you get involved with Anam Cara?
My first encounter with Anam Cara was shortly after Alma passed away. I attended a meeting in 2012, but the timing wasn’t right for me at the time. Grief affects everyone differently, and looking back, I realised I had come too early. I buried myself in work instead and didn’t really give grief a chance and didn’t return for many years.
A few years later, an annual Anam Cara survey landed on my desk. I was honest in my responses: the service hadn’t helped me at the time. But I also ticked a box indicating that I’d be willing to volunteer. That small gesture led, unexpectedly, to an invitation to join the Board in 2017, proposed by the late John Mullins. It was only when I joined the Board and began observing meetings again that Anam Cara finally resonated. With time and distance, I could see the immense value it brought to others. I realised it wasn’t that Anam Cara didn’t work; it simply didn’t work for me in 2012. That has become an important part of my message to other bereaved parents, everyone has their own timing.
What is your role with Anam Cara?
I joined the Board in 2017, contributing my background in governance, sales & marketing, and organisational leadership.
I went on to serve as Chairperson from 2022 until summer 2025. During that period, I also stepped in as interim CEO for twelve months when the organisation suddenly found itself without a chief executive. It was a challenging time, but I believed firmly in loyalty, honesty and duty of care, especially towards our bereaved parents and staff. I took on the role pro bono and travelled to Dublin weekly to ensure continuity and stability until a new CEO, Michelle Reynolds, was appointed.
Today, I continue to serve as a Board member, supporting governance, strategic direction and the continued development of Anam Cara’s services.
In your view, what makes Anam Cara’s support for bereaved parents unique or especially impactful?
Anam Cara is unique in that it supports all bereaved parents, regardless of the age of their child, the circumstances of their death, or how long ago the loss occurred. That breadth matters deeply.
I’ve seen parents attend meetings weeks after a death and others come forward after decades. One man I met at an information night had carried the grief of his son’s passing for forty years. He and all bereaved parents who attend Anam Cara find great solace simply by being in a room with people who understand.
People come and go as they need. Some attend regularly; others return only around anniversaries, birthdays or difficult seasons. And that’s exactly how it should be. Our door is always open, without judgement, without cost, and without time limits.
We also offer one‑to‑one professional counselling when Tier 3 support is needed, something that makes a huge difference for families who require more specialised help.
Can you share a moment that stands out during your time on the board?
Many moments stand out, some joyful, others deeply moving.
I’ll always remember meeting that gentleman who had carried his grief for four decades. His courage in stepping through the door after so long stayed with me.
Another moment was the parent who reappeared at a meeting after many months because her son’s anniversary was approaching. She didn’t need to explain; we understood. That’s the nature of our community, people arrive when their heart tells them to.
And I’ll never forget the period when we were without a CEO. It was tough, but it also reminded me how resilient the organisation is, and how committed the staff, Board, volunteer parents are to ensuring no bereaved parent is left without support.
How do you see Anam Cara evolving in the coming years?
Funding remains our biggest challenge. Unlike some charities, we don’t have deep pockets or large-scale public campaigns. We also don’t have a “bell to ring”, there is no moment where a bereaved parent becomes “better”. Grief becomes part of who we are, so our work is long‑term and ongoing.
There are between 1,500 and 2,000 bereaved families in Ireland each year, yet we only reach a small percentage of them. We need stronger awareness, better profiling, and a wider reach so more parents know we are here, and there is a big financial cost associated with getting that message out.
Looking ahead, Anam Cara must continue expanding its visibility, building partnerships, and strengthening its ability to support families across the island. My hope is that we secure the resources needed to do exactly that. Personally, I will be stepping back this year after nine years on the Board, in line with our governance terms. It has been an honour to serve, and it’s important that new expertise and fresh perspectives continue to flow through the organisation.
What would you say to someone considering supporting Anam Cara?
Our services are free of charge, confidential, and open to any bereaved parent, whether their loss is recent or many years old. That support is made possible only through the generosity of others.
I take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who have kindly stepped forward to assist Anam Cara financially over my years on the Board, way too many to mentioned in this interview, however your generosity is greatly appreciated.
There is nothing more devastating than the loss of a child. If you choose to support Anam Cara, you are helping parents navigate a grief that has no finish line. You are giving them a safe place to speak, to be understood, and to find hope again.
For me, giving back through Anam Cara has been a privilege. I’ve walked this road myself, and I know how vital it is to meet someone who truly understands. Supporting Anam Cara means helping ensure no parent has to walk that road alone.