Recent deaths 05-06-10

'A small woman with a big heart' was how the Mayor of Navan, Cllr Joe Reilly, described Rosie Caffrey, better known to all as 'Wee Rosie', who passed away over the weekend following a long illness. Last December, Cllr Reilly hosted a civic reception in the council chamber in honour of Wee Rosie's fundraising activities over the past 21 years. "She never let anything stop her, and I wanted to recognise that," he said. "She is a huge loss to the town, and did a lot of work for the community. Last October, Wee Rosie celebrated 21 years of fundraising with a night at Teach na Teamhrach, Balreask, in aid of the Special Olympics. Many charities benefited from her organisational skills over the years, beginning over two decades ago when she worked for the Irish Wheelchair Association. Other charities included the Chernobyl Children's project. She had intended running this year's event in aid of the Lourdes Invalid Fund, as she had made two pilgrimages to Lourdes, and wanted to acknowledge the support she received from the nurses and helpers on the trips. Rosie's friends and associates in her fundraising group intend to run the night in her memory in September, as she had already booked the venue for the event. Last year's function was also special as she had been very ill the previous year, and her friends and supporters organised the event in her absence, with her niece bringing her into Teach na Teamhrach for the night, from Rathfeigh Nursing Home. She made up her mind that she would be back in action, and everybody was delighted to see her back in the former Balreask Arms. Navan Town Council chamber was packed to capacity last December as friends and supporters of Wee Rosie turned out for the civic reception held in her honour. Cllr Reilly paid tribute to Rosie for her 21 years of fundraising for various charities, pointing out that in the last five years alone, she had brought in €40,000 for the Special Olympics local branch. At the event, Rosie thanked all who had supported her efforts over the years, and paid particular tribute to all who had looked after her when she was ill, especially Pauline Reilly, her close friend. Even though she had been seriously ill in recent years, her sudden decline last week and passing was a shock, as she had been in the town centre for her regular weekly shopping on the previous Friday, and had been out and about in recent times, a familiar site walking her beloved little dog, 'Spottie'. Friends, neighbours and supporters of Rosie joined her family at the removal to St Mary's Church, Navan on Monday evening, and for the funeral Mass yesterday (Tuesday), followed by burial in St Mary's Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Laura McMahon, Slane Mrs Laura McMahon, Rochestown, Slane, who has died aged 88, was a member of the Gargan family, Grangegeeth. She was predeceased in 2001 by her husband, Thomas. Known as Lolo, she devoted her life to her husband and family, and was a wonderful mother, friend and confidant to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her sons, Jack, Davidstown, Slane; Philip, Rochestone; David, Rochestown; Bernard, Navan; daughters, Kathleen O'Neill, Athboy; Laurena Markey, Slane; Roz Nolan, Castleknock; sisters, Josie Keague, Dunboyne; Phyllis Edmunds, Dublin and Rita Cannon, Dunboyne; and other family members, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Louis Church, Rathkenny, to Rushwee Cemetery, on 3rd March last. _____________________________________________________________ Nicholas Carpenter, Grangegeeth and Brisbane The passing took place peacefully of Mr Nicholas Carpenter (59), of Brisbane, Australia, while on a visit home to his native Grangegeeth, Collon, on Friday 30th April last. At the age of 22, he had emigrated to Brisbane, Australia, with his wife, Sally, but returned to Ireland many times and maintained strong links with family and friends over the following 38 years . His love of Gaelic Football was evidenced by the wonderful support from the two local parish teams at his funeral, when Mattock Rangers of Collon, and the Rathkenny club members formed guard of honours. In Australia, he continued his association with the sport he loved, and was the president and vice president for the Queensland Gaelic Football Association and vice president of the Australasian Gaelic Athletic Association at different times over the many years. Mr Carpenter will be remembered for his generous nature and commitment to his family, friends and community. In his early years, he contributed to a youth group, tug of war team and juvenile Gaelic football in Collon, and in Australia assisted Irish support groups and catered and cared for the welfare of many Irish visitors at his home in Australia. Deceased passed away whilst on a visit to Ireland, after being diagnosed with illness in October last year. In the final weeks, he was cared for in the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk and in the Coronary Care Unit in the Mater Hospital in Dublin; and on discharge at his brother David's residence with wonderful support from the Drogheda Palliative Care Unit and the Slane community nurses. Deceased will be remembered with love by all his extended family and many friends. Mr Carpenter is survived by his wife, Sally; family, Caroline, Glenn and John; mother, Mary; son-in-law Andrew; grandchildren, Aidan and Ryan; brothers and sister, Austin, Ina, David and Peter, and their families. A funeral Mass took place at St Mary's Church, Grangegeeth on Tuesday 4th May, his 60th birthday, followed by service and cremation in Glasnevin. A memorial Mass took place in St Joseph's Church, Corinda, Brisbane, Australia, on Friday 21st May where he was laid to rest. _____________________________________________________________ Maura Carroll, Dunboyne The death recently occurred, at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, of Mrs Maura Carroll, 56 Castleview, Dunboyne. She was 87. The late Mrs Carroll (nee Birrane) was a native of Limerick and was widow of the late Peter Carroll, who predeceased her in 1999. A homemaker, she spent her life caring for her family and friends and was loved by all who knew her. She particularly enjoyed playing bingo two nights per week in Summerhill and Dunboyne and she will be missed by all those friends who enjoyed her company on those nights. Deceased is survived by her sons, Jimmy Carroll, Clonee; Pete Carroll, London; Eddie Carroll, Dunboyne, and Gerry Carroll, Dunboyne; daughter, Mrs Marian Peacock, Dunboyne; son-in-law, Alan Warke, Crewe, England; daughter-in-law, Mrs Caroline Carroll, Brisbane, Australia; brother, Joe Birrane, Mitchelstown, Co Cork; sister, Mrs Peggy Loughnane, Cahir, Co Tipperary, and other relatives. The funeral took place from Ss Peter & Paul's Church, Dunboyne, to Rooske Cemetery, Dunboyne. _____________________________________________________________ Matthew McCabe, Kingscourt and Hastings The death occurred on 11th April last, at his home in Hastings, England, of Mr Matthew McCabe, Hastings, and late of Ardagh, Kingscourt. Mr McCabe was holder of Leinster and All-Ireland minor football medals with Meath in 1957, and emigrated to England a year later. He was aged 71, and the eldest of a family of 12. Deceased became a civil engineering contractor and later became a publican until his retirement in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Kitty; sons, Bernard, Matthew, Patrick, and Kevin; daughters, Catherine; 13 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brothers, Jimmy, Barney, Declan, Cyril, Liam and Dominic; sisters, Mary, Bernadette, Sheila and Bridget; and other relatives and friends. His remains were moved to St Patrick's and St Bridget's Church, Meath Hill, with burial to Drumconrath Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Katie Nugent, Clonmellon There was great sadness around Clonmellon following the death of Katie Nugent, six year-old daughter of Nicholas and Alice Nugent of Ballinlough Castle. Katie died on 19th May last following a brave battle with leukaemia, and was an adored sister of Lucy, grandaughter, niece, cousin and friend. Her funeral took place at the Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Clonmellon. The family have requested that donations in her memory be made, if desired, to the Children's Medical and Research Foundation of Our Lady's Children's Hopsital, www.cmrf.org. _____________________________________________________________ Molly McCabe, Skryne The regretted death occurred on 5th May last of Mrs Mary (Molly) McCabe, Skryne, Tara, aged 90. A member of the Smith family of Rosnaree, she was wife of the late John Joe McCabe, who passed away in 1978. She was also predeceased by daughter, Dolores, in December 2004. Mrs McCabe's first priority was always to her family. She was an outgoing, lively person with a keen interest in playing bingo and cards. In February last, she celebrated her 90th birthday with a large number of family and friends in Walterstown GAA clubhouse. She asked for donations, rather than gifts, and raised €1,000 for the Loreto Daycare Centre, Navan, and €1,000 for the Alzheimers' Unit, Navan. Deceased is survived by her family, Angela, England; Rosaleen, Navan; Eileen, Canada; Cepta, Skryne; Teresa, Donore; Joey, Mullagh; Mary, Navan; Christy, Walterstown; Betty, Dunshaughlin; and Gus, Beauparc; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; sisters, Lily and Nancy; brother, Charlie; grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Colmcille's Church, Skryne, to the adjoining cemetery. A months memory Mass takes place in Skryne on Friday 4th June at 8pm. _____________________________________________________________ Kathleen O'Reilly Collier, Duleek and Dunshaughlin The death occurred on 10th May last of Mrs Kathleen O'Reilly Collier (82), of Cill Carbon, Duleek, and late of Painstown, Dunshaughlin, at her daughter's residence in Donabate, Dublin. Wife of the late William O'Reilly, who passed away in 1985, she was a member of the Mahon family of Painstown, and worked with the Dublin Gas Company and Clery's Store, Dublin. She is survived by her son, Jude, Bellewstown; daughters, Marie Carolan, Donabate; Rita Killoran, Dunshaughlin; Margaret Reilly, Duleek; Annette O'Reilly, Duleek and Diana Kenny, Donabate; sons-in-law, Anthony Carolan and Jimmy Killoran; daughter-in-law, Marion; 23 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; great great grandchild, Brandon; and a large circle of relatives and friends. The funeral took place from Rathfeigh Church to the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Carmel Smyth, Wilkinstown There was widespread regret in Wilkinstown and the greater Navan area following the death of Mrs Carmel Smyth, Knightstown, at the age of 81. Predeceased in 1997 by her husband, Matthew (Mattie), she was a member of the Dalton family of Rathlin Road, Glasnevin, and Knightstown. Mrs Smyth was actively involved in the community centre in Wilkinstown, where she attended the Women's Club (ALPS), the bridge club, and whist, with many good friends in those clubs. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends in Scotland and Ireland. Deceased is survived by her sons, Pat, Trim; Noel, Bohermeen; Kieran, Knightstown; John, Corballis,Wilkinstown; daughters, Ann Brady, Blackcastle, Navan; Brid Smyth, Wilkinstown; daughters-in-law, Nuala, Roseleen, Doreen and son-in-law, Richard; grandchildren; great grandchildren; sister, Ann Powderly, Corby, England. The funeral took place from St Colmcille's Church, Fletcherstown, to the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Thomas Ayres, Enfield The people of Killyon and Enfield and surrounding areas were saddened by the news of the death of Mr Thomas (Tosh) Ayres, Clonough, Enfield, on 22nd April last, aged 83. Mr Ayres was a dedicated family man who raised his large family following the death of his wife, Annie, in 1970. He was also predeceased by daughters, Ann and Mary. Deceased will be remembered for his easy going manner, storytelling ability and contagious laugh. He is survived by his sons, Johnny, Willie, Thomas, Martin and Noel; daughters, Jane, Marie, Bernadette, Connie, Kathleen, Geraldine, Elizabeth and Bridget; brothers, sisters; daughters-in-law; sons-in-law; grandchildren, great grandchildren; and a large circle of friends. The removal took place to Kinshinroe Church for funeral Mass, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.