Recent deaths 06-06-09

Fr Peter Steen, who died recently at St Columban"s Nursing Home, Dalgan Park, Navan, had recently returned from the Philippines where he had spent all of his missionary career since 1953. Fr Steen was a native of Johnstown, Navan, where he was born on 4th December, 1925. He was educated at the De La Salle Brothers Primary School and St Patrick"s Classical School, Navan. After completing his secondary education, he spent two years studying dentistry at University College, Dublin. He joined the Columbans in Dalgan Park in 1946 and was ordained priest on 21st December, 1952. After his ordination he was assigned to the Philippines in 1953 and remained there until early May 2009. All his parish work was on the island of Mindanao, Southern Philippines in the parishes of Oroquieta, Plaridel, Gingoog and Dumilinao. For a period he was chancellor of Ozamis Prelature, now an archdiocese. In the 1960s he served in St Michael"s Parish, Iligan City. Deceased served two terms as regional superior of the Columbans and resided at the Central House in Singalong, Manila. In 1983 he returned to Mindanao to the parish of Maranding and later back to Iligan, this time to Corpus Christi parish. He then returned to Manila and served as chaplain to Manila Doctors" Hospital. He spent his active retirement years in the Columban house in Singalong. Wherever he served, Fr Steen loved being with people and had a great love for the Filipinos and they for him. His special gifts were his openness, his sense of humour and above all his down to earth practical common sense. He was always kind and considerate. His delightful puckish sense of humour enabled him to zone in on characteristics of his fellow Columbans and others that less acute observers often missed. He had a deep inquiring mind, delighted in provoking discussion, and, while never taking himself too seriously, asked as many deep probing questions as Socrates. As a result he was always excellent company and a visit to any of his parishes was never dull. Fr Ray Husband, fellow Columban and friend from Navan, in his homily at the removal to the College Chapel in Dalgan, spoke of Fr Peter"s many qualities, especially his deep faith in a merciful God. He reached out the hand of friendship at times of division and encouraged all to listen to each other and to work for the uplifting of the Filipino people and the building of God"s Kingdom. He had an innate sense of justice and resisted injustice wherever he found it. Fr Husband said: 'For me one of Fr Peter"s greatest attributes was his ability to reach out to the underdog and to those who found themselves on the margins of society. He treated people with respect and dignity. Harrison Plaza, a shopping mall in Manila, was like a second home to him and he had many a story to tell after his daily visits there. I"m sure many of the stallholders and shop assistants will miss his warm sense of humour and the help he extended to them.' Fr Steen died at St Columban"s Nursing Home, Dalgan Park, on 11th May last. He had recently returned from the Philippines very seriously ill, accompanied by Dr Keith Navalta, a Filipino doctor and friend. The chief celebrant of Fr Peter Steen"s Funeral Mass on 13th May was Fr Pat O"Donoghue, Columban Regional Superior in the Philippines. After the Funeral Mass he was laid to rest at the Community Cemetery in Dalgan. The prayers at the graveside were recited by Frs Charlie Meagher and Martin Ryan, two Columbans who worked closely with Fr Steen in the Philippines. Many Columbans, parishioners from Johnstown and friends joined his family at both the removal and funeral, including Fr Martin Mulvaney, PP, Johnstown and Monsignor Eamonn Marron, VG of the Meath Diocese who studied with Fr Steen at St Patrick"s Classical School, Navan. Fr Steen was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Barry, Fr Ambrose, Nottingham Diocese, Christopher, Fr Pat (Columban, buried in the Philippines), and his sister, Ursula Darby. Deceased is survived by his sister, Brenda Clinton, Celbridge; sister-in-law Anne Steen, Athlumney Village, Navan; nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, to whom he was very devoted. A month"s memory Mass will take place on Sunday 5th July at Johnstown Church, Navan at 11am. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Tom Harney, Kingscourt His many friends and acquaintances throughout Meath and beyond were saddened to learn of the recent death of Mr Tom (Tomás) Harney, 7 Fana Rua, Kingscourt, which recently occurred at his home. He was aged 57. A native of Ballinasloe, Co Galway, he was a former Bank of Ireland official and manager who served in both Navan and Kingscourt for 32 years. A past pupil of Garbally College in Ballinasloe, he worked for Bank of Ireland for 15 years in Navan before transferring to Kingscourt where he spent a further 20 years before retiring in 2002. He was heavily involved in the establishment of the Meath Sheletered Workshop (now MIDWAY) while in Navan and was very active in the fundraising campaign for it from its inception. He was a big fan of Meath football, Liverpool FC and trained underage footballers in Kingscourt during his time there. A much-loved man by all who knew him, the esteem in which he was held was borne out by the large attendance at the removal of his remains and funeral. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mrs Muriel Harney; children, Rebecca, Aidan, Conor and Liz; mother, Mrs Julia Harney; brothers, Adrian, Padraig, Oliver and Declan; sister, Mary, and grandchildren, Clodagh and Daniel. The funeral took place from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kingscourt, to the adjoining cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Patrick O"Brien, Castlemartin Much sadness was occasioned over a wide area by the death of Mr Patrick (Paudge) O"Brien, Castlemartin, Navan, at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan. Mr O"Brien (73) was a native of Castlemartin, Navan, and spent all his life farming. In his early years, he was an extensive tillage farmer and, in his later years, he concentrated on drystock. He also had a huge interest in sport, in particular Gaelic football. He served in the local club Martry as both a player and administrator. In 1964, he won a junior championship medal with the club, where he played in the full-back line. The remaining members of this team formed a guard of honour at his funeral. St Ultan"s Ladies Football Club also formed a guard of honour. Mr O"Brien was joint chairman of the newly-formed Harps GFC in 1975 and was a key figure in sowing the seeds in the amalgamation between Martry and Bohermeen. He was a popular member of the community known for his sincerity and quick wit and will be sadly missed by family and friends. Deceased is survived by his wife, Ena; sons, Patrick, Thomas and Declan; daughters, Hilda and Nuala, all Castlemartin, Navan; grandson, Anthony; brother, Christy O"Brien, Martry; sisters, Mrs Rose Olwill, Carnaross; Mrs Margaret Smith, Mullagh; Mrs Frances Monaghan, Abbeylands, Navan; Mrs Bridget McDermott, Drumconrath, and Mrs Ann Flynn, Ballyjamesduff; sister-in-law, Sr Mary McCormack, St John of God"s Convent, Kilkenny; brother-in-law, Francis McCormack, Castlepollard; nieces and nephews. The funeral took place from Bohermeen Church to the adjoining cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Margaret Pender, Enfield The regretted death occurred on 16th May last at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, of Mrs Margaret (Peggy) Pender (nee Horan), Johnstown Road, Enfield, at the age of 89. A native of Enfield, Mrs Pender was predeceased by her husband, Patrick, in August 1993. She was a great lover of Meath football and looked forward to the summer and the GAA campaign each year. She loved gardening and flowers and won trophies for her garden of flowers. She also loved knitting and sewing and was a known dressmaker in her earlier years. She will be sadly missed by her loving family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Deceased is survived by her daughters, Mrs Audrey Ayers, Mrs Dympna Farrell, Mrs Ursula Hynes, Mrs Pauline Cruise and Mrs Celine Lally; sons, Mr Patrick Pender and Mr Jack Pender; sister, Frances; grandchildren, great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sister-in-law, Mary Horan, nieces and nephews. Her remains were removed to Jordanstown Church and the funeral took place to the adjoining cemetery following Requiem Mass there. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Ronnie Coogan, Navan The regretted death occurred at his home on 18th May last of Mr Ronnie Coogan, Woodview, Trim Road, Navan. Mr Coogan, who was 62, was predeceased by his wife, Mary, in 1999. A native of Hurdlestown, Kells, he was a carpenter and was very well-known in Navan town where he was well-respected for his craftmanship in carpentry. Deceased is survived by his sons, Declan, Patrick, John and Mark; daughter, Rosemary; brothers, Ollie and Dan; sister, Grainne; grandchildren, Katelyn and Mia; nieces, nephews and other relatives. The funeral took place from St Mary"s Church, Navan, to Martry Cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ James Madden, Cakestown & Ardbraccan Widespread sadness was occasioned by the very sudden death of Mr James (Jim) Madden, Ardbraccan, Navan, which occurred at his residence, aged 68. A native of Cakestown, Kells, deceased was an employee of the ESB before becoming a very well respected electrical contractor in his own right. He is survived by his wife, Celine; son, Ben; daughters, Lorna and Elma; brother, Johnny; grandchildren, James, Alannah and Ethan; nephews, Gerard and Anthony; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, relatives and friends. The funeral Mass took place in St Ultan"s Church, Bohermeen, on Wednesday 20th May. The deceased donated his body for medical resarch to the College of Surgeons, Dublin. Mass donations went to Crumlin"s Children"s Hospital.