Recent deaths 21-02-09

The recent death of Mr Des (Dessie) Griffin (71), late of Maple Drive, Rockfield, Kells, was sudden and unexpected. Mr Griffin was a son of the late Tommy and Lucy Griffin and, though he was born in Mullingar, he grew up in Kells. He held various posts during his lifetime and spent one year working for the post office and six years with the Air Corps. He worked for 20 years with the Court Services as district court clerk in Kells and Dunshaughlin. Mr Griffin served with Judges John Brophy, the late Len Clifford and the late Aodhagan ' Raghaillaigh. He was a very keen golfer and was a member of Headfort Golf Club. In his younger days, he was a good footballer. Deceased is survived by his six brothers and three sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, many nephews and nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces. Large crowds, including representatives from the Courts Service, the Garda Siochana and the legal profession attended the removal of his remains to St Colmcille"s Church, Kells, and the funeral to St Colmcille"s Cemetery, Kells. A month"s memory Mass will take place at St Colmcille"s Church, Kells, on Sunday 15th March at 11am. Bertie Quinn, Castletown Mrs Bertie Quinn, Castletown KP, who has died aged 77, worked tirelessly for her community and further afield, and was responsible for the revival of the Castletown Accordian Band almost three decades ago. A native of Lobinstown, she moved to Castletown as a young girl with her family, and later married Pat Quinn, since deceased. They had a family of ten, sadly losing a son, Gerard, as a baby. While rearing her family, Mrs Quinn also worked for several years in the Slane Manufacturing Company. For many years, she was involved in Irish dancing lessons with her children and was instrumental in bringing lessons to the community centre in Castletown. With others, she started the local ladies committee in the early 1970s, primarily to organise senior citizens and children"s parties, and later, a senior citizens" summer outing. Mrs Quinn was chair of this group at the time of her death. In the 1980s, deceased was on the committee of the local athletic club, and also helped fundraise for the local Gaelic Football Club pavilion by being a candidate in the 'Lord Mayor" campaign. A bucket collection through local towns for her campaign was led by a musical parade of the Castletown Youth Band. She had been very involved with the original band in the area in the '70s and was responsible for the revival of the group now known as the Castletown Accordian Orchestra in 1981. Her daughter, Carmel, was its drum major for many years, and in the beginning, she was its secretary and later, chairperson up to the time of her death in early January. Mrs Quinn helped out at orchestra meetings once a week for 28 years. She sewed, fundraised and travelled all over Europe, Britain and Ireland, playing engagements, competitions, and festivals. One one occasion, she was known to have ran from one plane to another at an airport to join a different group she was committed to. A number of her grandchildren were also involved in the orchestra. Mrs Quinn was chairperson of the local ICA guild at the time of her passing and started Castletown Active Retirement Group in 1996. Playing cards was always a favourite pastime and whist on Tuesdays was rarely missed. Deceased was also one of the longtime organisers of the local national schools talent competition for schools in the area. She was always available to help at events during the tenure of several parish priests and served on the school board. She also returned to live with her parents, looking after them until their deaths. Mrs Quinn will be fondly remembered by all who knew her and everybody is all the richer for knowing her. - BS. Rose Meehan, Navan Widespread regret was occasioned by the death of Mrs Rose Meehan, Clonmagadden, Proudstown Road, Navan, on 25th January last. A daughter of the late John and Margaret Crosbie of Whitewood, Kilmainhamwood, deceased was a retired seamstress. She was wife of the late John Meehan, who died in 1975. Mrs Meehan was held in warm regard by everyone who knew her, and will be remembered as very kind-hearted person who thought nothing of doing a good turn. She was renowned for her sewing skills, with a career spanning from its beginnings as a seamstress in Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, to a private curtain making service for clients and fabric stores. Mrs Meehan also contributed to the work of the Apostolic Society and was a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, particularly proud when she received her gold pin a number of years ago. She was also predeceased by brothers John Joe and Peter; and sister, Lily Boyle. Deceased is survived by her daughter, Margaret McGrane, Follistown, Navan; son, Eoin (Eugene) Meehan, Ladyrath, Wilkinstown; son-in-law, Paschal; daughter-in-law, Amanda; grandchildren, Ciara and Mark McGrane and John and Heather Meehan; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Oliver Plunkett"s Church, Blackcastle, Navan, to Ss Peter and Paul"s Cemetery, Magheracloone. A month"s memory Mass will take place in St Oliver Plunkett"s Church on Saturday next, 21st February, at 10.30am. Maureen Donohoe, Athboy The regretted death occurred recently of Ms Maureen Donohoe, Connaught Place, Athboy, at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan. Aged 73, Ms Donohoe was daughter of the late Peter and Mary Donohoe, The Sycamores, Kilbride Trim. She is survived by her sister, Breda, Athboy; nephews, Michael Flanagan, Manchester, England, and Fintan Flanagan, Kilkenny; nieces, Geraldine Allinson, Isle of Man and Maureen Donohoe, Galway, cousin, relatives and friends. The funeral took place on 2nd February last from St James" Church, Athboy, to St James" Cemetery. Phyllis Geraghty, Athboy The death occurred peacefully on 28th January last of Mrs Phyllis Geraghty, St Joseph"s Villa"s Athboy, at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan. Aged 79, she was a member of the Doherty family of Martinstown and wife of the late Larry Geraghty, who died in 1990. She was also predeceased by a son, Martin, in 1998. Deceased is survived by her daughter, Mary McGuinness, Athboy; sons, Patsy, Athboy, and Lorcan, Navan; son-in-law, Tommy McGuinness; daughters-in-law, Helen, Rie and Bernie; grandchildren and great grandchildren; relatives and many friends. The funeral took place from St James" Church, Athboy, to St James" Cemetery.