Obituaries 15-01-2011

A decade ago, to mark the millennium year, Trim Urban Council honoured five local people for their contribution to the community. One of these was Mrs Ita Mekitarian, Newhaggard, Trim, whose death after a short illness took place on 23rd December last, aged 78. Mrs Mekitarian received the millennium award for her involvement with the local Brownies and Girls Guides organisations, Trim musical and drama groups, the Trim branch of Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), and the St Patrick's Day Parade, from the then council chairperson, Vincent McHugh. It was a fitting honour for somebody who had devoted so much of her life to these groups and organisations. A native of the Dolphin's Barn area of Dublin, deceased married Tom Mekitarian in 1952 and they settled in Trim after spending a number of years living in Canada. With Richie Gantly, she established a branch of the ISPCC in Trim, and to generations of young girls in the area was known as 'Brown Owl', after setting up the Brownies in the town, and later running the Girl Guides. Mrs Mekitarian devoted many years to these organisations, and also looked after young people for a long time, many of whom turned out to pay tribute to her at her recent funeral. Ita Mekitarian was an award-winning actress with Trim Drama Group and was also an original member of Trim Musical Society. She came out of retirement in 2004 to play Mag Folan in Martin McDonagh's 'The Beauty Queen of Leenane' for the drama group. Deceased had spent several years as chairperson of St Pius X Musical Society in Terenure, Dublin, and made her stage debut with Trim Drama Group as Pol Pot in Bryan McMahon's 'The Honeyspike', playing opposite the late Paddy Doran. She followed that with the role of Angelique in 'Hotel Paradiso', and went on to play a leading role in the society's productions over the years. Mrs Mekitarian won a best actress award for her performance in 'The Tinker's Wedding' at Lucan Drama Festival in 1986. She played Mary Byrne in Synge's play. The production also won best play for the Trim group that year. In 1994, she was one of the leading actors in 'The Crucible', a production which won many awards for the society, and in 1996 played the mother in Hugh Leonard's 'The Da', her last performance before returning for the Leenane role eight years later. Her dedication to this role was so much that, as her hearing was failing at the time, she learned the entire play so that she could lip read fellow actors in case she could not hear their lines or her cue. One of the funniest moments she recalled with the group was when she missed her cue in 'The Plough and the Stars', when she was playing Mrs Gogan. She was partaking of refreshments in the Town Hall kitchen during the interval, unaware that Act II had started. When Mrs Mekitarian missed her cue, one of her fellow actors announced “Mrs Gogan's a bit late tonight,†to which the other replied: “She's usually here at this time,†looking out the window. Shortly afterwards, Mrs Gogan, supposed to be in her seventies, was seen sprinting sprightly past the window. The tale was recounted on Gay Byrne's radio show by member Sheila O'Keeffe when Trim members auditioned for the radio broadcast of the play. With Liam Glynn, she co-directed 'Philadelphia, Here I Come'. Deceased was a founding member of Trim Musical Society and did the PR for its first production, 'The White Horse Inn'. Many other family members have also been involved in both the musical society, and in 'The Crucible', she appeared with son Tom and granddaughter, Karen, while husband Tom, and sons Paul and Tom all performed in 'Juno and the Paycock' with Mrs Mekitarian. As a young girl, she had won prizes for her singing at Feis Cheoil competitions, and travelled to Rome as a teenager with a choir that sang for Pope Pius XII. In December 2000, when Trim UDC was marking the millennium year, deceased was honoured along with government minister Noel Dempsey, Ted Murtagh, Christum Leonard and county council engineer Oliver Perkins, who were recognised for their contributions to public life and charitable and various organisations in the town. Mrs Mekitarian, who will be remembered as an outgoing, cheerful woman dedicated to her community activities, passed away at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, following a short illness. She is survived by her husband, Thomas; family, Noelle, Sligo; Tom, Sligo; Owen, Canada; Greg, Dublin; Paul, Mayo; and Andrea, Trim; brothers, Sean and Owen; son-in-law; daughters-in-law; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; grandchildren; great- grandchildren; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, with cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium. ____________________________________________________________ Jack McGlew, Boyerstown The death occurred on 16th December last of Mr Jack McGlew, Boyerstown House, Boyerstown, Navan, who was a well known character described as a 'larger than life personality'. He was aged 87 and passed away in the care of the Millbury Nursing Home, Navan. A native of Knockumber, Navan, Mr McGlew was born on 17th March 1923 and attended the De la Salle school in Navan until the age of 14. When he was 16, the Second World War broke out and he was one of the first to join the inaugural Local Defence Force (LDF). He became friendly with another enthusiastic recruit, Paddy Keely from Eskeroon, Dunderry. When the war ended, Britain launched a campaign to recruit young men to join the British Palestinian Police. This was essentially a peacekeeping force that was sent to Palestine to facilitate a peaceful integration of the displaced Jews of WWII into Palestine. Deceased went to Palestine in 1947. The recruits endured intensive training in an effort to prepare them for often extremely dangerous situations. When he returned from Palestine he worked for a short time checking out tourist destinations in Italy and France for a friend, ex-Palestine policeman turned tour operator, Michael Walsh. Jack McGlew married Kathleen Keely from Eskeroon, Dunderry in 1949 and in the years that followed they raised nine children. He started a milk delivery business and had two horse-drawn carts delivering in Navan and a truck delivering in the 'country'. In the late 1960s and early '70s, Mr McGlew worked at security. By the mid seventies, he had started work on the Boyne Drainage Scheme with the Board of Works (now OPW), and continued to work there until his retirement. Throughout his life, Mr McGlew maintained his involvement with the LDF (which later became the FCA). When he returned from Palestine he spent many years putting his experience and training to use very effectively as an FCA sergeant. He was presented with a beautiful shield from his regiment when he retired. Deceased had many interests. He raised and had a great love of both horses and dogs and was a member of the Meath Hunt. He was also a staunch member of Dunderry Gun Club, from its founding, for many years. He was a member of the Palestinian Police Old Comrades Association and attended various ceremonies and meetings in London, Belfast and Dublin in their memory. Many people travelled him to receive the cure of thrush. Members of his FCA regiment along with Dunderry Gun Club members formed a guard of honour from the church to the graveyard at his funeral. Mr McGlew is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons, Dick, Jim and Pat; daughters Bernadette, Gertie, Imelda and Ann; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and a large circle of friends. He was predeceased by his sons, Sean and George, and daughter-in-law, Helen. The funeral took place from St Cuthbert's Church, Boyerstown, to the adjoining cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Betty Clarke, Trim The regretted death occurred on 19th December last of Betty Elizabeth Clarke, Haggard Street, Trim, at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. A native of Trim, deceased (86) is survived by her son, Tony; daughter-in-law, Bridget; grandchildren, John, Tony, Sharon, Michael and David; nieces and nephews, Rosie, Betty and Barney. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery, Trim. A months mind Mass will take place in Trim at 12.30pm on Sunday 30th January. ____________________________________________________________ Elizabeth Heary, Dean Hill There was widespread regret following the passing on 6th December last of Mrs Elizabeth (Lizzie) Heary, Dean Hill, Hayes, Navan, aged 88 years, at Millbury Nursing Home, Navan. Deceased was a member of the Carey family and a native of Dean Hill. She is survived by her husband, Stanley; daughters, Pauline Monaghan, Perth, Australia; Carmel Clarke, Dean Hill; Bernie Carroll, Herbert Place, Navan; Marie Dunphy, Claremont, Navan; son, Frank Heary, Beechmount, Navan; sister, Kitty Toombes, Navan; brother, Kit Carey, Dean Hill; grandchildren, great grandchildren; son-in-law, Tommy Clarke; daughter-in-law, Ann Heary; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Beauparc, to the adjoining cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Johnny Lynch, Kilbeg There was great sadness over a wide area at the recent death of Mr Johnny Lynch, Kilbeg at the age of 95, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. A son of the late Paddy and Kate Lynch, he was predeceased by his wife, Peggy, in 2002. Deceased was an agricultural worker for most of his life and retired in 1980 after more than 30 years with the same farm employer. His favourite pastime was playing the accordion and he played in a ceili band in his younger days. He was a very good family man, was quiet and unassuming and a devoted Catholic. Mr Lynch was a good story teller and had a great knowledge of local history. He had an avid interest in cars and was a perfectionist working on engines. It was his pride and joy to do his own repairs and was always willing to help a friend with an engine problem. He was the oldest man in the parish at the time of his death. Deceased is survived by sons, Patsy, New York, Jackie, Kilbeg, Bernard, Carlanstown, and Dessie, London and daughter, Kathleen O'Dwyer, Cork. His remains were removed to St Mary's Church, Kilbeg and the funeral took place Kilbeg Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Kathleen McGowan, Trim The regretted death occurred on 26th December last of Mrs Kathleen McGowan, Avondale Drive, Trim, peacefully at the Mater Hospital, Dublin. A native of Ballina, Co Mayo, many people knew the deceased through her voluntary work in the St Vincent de Paul Shop, The Wardrobe, in Trim and many mission and charity sales of work. She had a deep faith and great devotion to St Padre Pio, which she maintained throughout her life. Mrs McGowan was a daily mass goer. Throughout her life, she lived for her family and will be remembered as a wonderful and caring mother and grandmother. She was a true friend to all her friends and neighbours. Mrs McGowan was a keen gardener and loved to see the arrival of spring and the long days. She moved with her husband and family from Mayo to Trim in the early seventies and since then she took an active part in Trim's societies and organisations such as the ICA and St Vincent de Paul. The large numbers who called to her home, sent mass bouquets and cards while she was in hospital, who attended her removal and funeral was a fitting tribute to Kathleen, who touched so many lives. Deceased is survived by her husband, Joe; sons, Noel, Joe, and Brendan McGowan, all Trim; daughters, Marie Clancy, Cork, Annette Smith, Athboy; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; sisters, Rose Durcan and Mary McHale; brothers, Michael, Jack and Martin; nine grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery. A month's mind Mass takes place on Sunday, 23rd January at 12.30pm in St Patrick's Church.