Obituaries 22-01-2011

There was widespread sadness following the death on 7th January last of Mrs Joan McCaffrey, Rockfield Road, Kells, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Aged 76, Mrs McCaffrey, who was wife of PJ McCaffrey, passed away suddenly. Deceased was born Mary Joan Fitzpatrick to Mary and Patrick Fitzpatrick of Clonliffe Road, Dublin. Her mother was from Laois and her father from Kilmihil in Co Clare, and Mrs McCaffrey maintained strong links with her family in Clare throughout her life. She became engaged to P J McCaffrey while visiting him in Nigeria, where he taught for a number of years. They married in 1967 and moved to Kells in 1970. Cavan man PJ McCaffrey, from Bawnboy, worked with the Air Corps, Aer Lingus and as a teacher in St Finbar's College in Lagos, Nigeria, Kells Vocational School and Kells Community School. He was a GAA footballer with both Cavan and the Air Corps and continued to fully participate at many levels within the GAA following his retirement as a player. Mrs McCaffrey shared this love of Gaelic games throughout her life, though she never waivered as a Dublin supporter. She supported Meath - when they weren't playing Dublin - and was actively involved in Gaeil Colmcille GAA club in Kells for many years. It was in Gaeil Colmcille that deceased first joined a bridge club and bridge became a passion that she maintained for the rest of her life, playing to a very high standard. Mrs McCaffrey later moved to Headfort Bridge Club where she enjoyed her bridge as an active member of the club for many years, up until her untimely death. Her friends from Headfort Bridge Club provided a guard of honour at her funeral. Deceased had a strong sense of community that extended beyond the clubs of which she was a member and she was an enthusiastic volunteer to many local initiatives and good causes. The two most important things in her life were her faith and her family. Mrs McCaffrey had an especial devotion to the Sacred Heart and to Our Lady and she rarely let anyone leave the house without checking that they had got their 'little drop of holy water'. Her faith provided her great strength, comfort and hope. Mrs McCaffrey's devotion to her family is gratefully remembered. She cared for her mother who moved to Kells and lived with them until passing away in 1981. She and PJ brought up four children to whom she set a wonderful example, always putting them first, being there for them to support and take a huge interest in all aspects of their lives. Deceased is survived by her husband PJ; daughters, Siobhán O'Connor, Rostrevor; Orla McCaffrey, Dublin; and Sinéad McCaffrey, Galway; son Peadar, Trim; daughter-in-law, Barbara; sons-in-law, Philip, Chris and Steven; grandchildren, Féilim, Dara and Ruairí and many other relatives and friends. Her funeral mass was celebrated in St Colmcille's Church, Kells on Monday 10th January and she was interred in St Mogue's Cemetery, Bawnboy, Co. Cavan. A months memory Mass takes place on Sunday 6th February at 9am in St Colmcille's Church, Kells. ___________________________________________________________ Alfred Curtis, Boyerstown The regretted death occurred on 11th December last of Mr Alfred (Alfie) Curtis, Boyerstown, Navan. Mr Curtis passed away at Millbury Nursing Home, Navan, aged 85. Deceased was retired from An Post. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; daughters, Geraldine Curtis and Eilis Munnelly; son, Patrick; daughter-in-law, Edel; son-in-law, Eamonn; grandchildren, Emma, Amy, Rachel, Sarah, and Peter; sister, Alice Fogarty; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Monica Crowley, Dunshaughlin There was widespread sadness following the passing on 7th January last of Mrs Monica (Mona) Crowley, Hillview, Dunshaughlin, at her residence, aged 79. Mrs Crowley was a member of the Reilly family of Old Road, Dunsany. Her father, Paddy Reilly, was one of a number of men who served in World War I and lived in one of five homes known as the Soldier's Houses in Dunsany, with his wife Mary and family. Mrs Crowley was a member of Dunshaughlin senior citizens' Friday Morning Club, and enjoyed its many activities and outings. She is survived by her husband, Patrick; daughters, Claire McConnell, Marie Fagan, Patricia Mulhall, Marline Lynch; sons, Tony and Gerard Crowley; grandchildren; great grandchildren; relatives, neighbours, and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Ss Patrick and Seachnall, Dunshaughlin, to the local cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Agnes O'Reilly, Navan Mrs Agnes O'Reilly, who has died, ran a licensed premises and grocery shop in Kilberry with her late husband, Joseph, for 45 years. Aged 92, she was the last surviving member of her generation of the Sherlock family, Demailstown. She was predeceased by her husband in 1970. Mrs O'Reilly moved to Edenderry, Co Offaly, where she ran a licensed premises for some years before returning to live in Navan in 1978. She resided at Troytown Heights and passed away at Millbury Nursing Home, Navan. Deceased is survived by her sons, Paddy, Peter, Tom, Myles and Chris; daughters, Ann, Mary, Kate and Pauline; grandsons, James, Mark, Fergal, Ronan and David; granddaughters, Tracy, Natalie, Karen, Niamh, Aimee and Caoimhe; great grandchildren, Kirsty, Joe and Andrew, in-laws, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Oliver's Church, Blackcastle, Navan, to Kilberry Cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place in St Oliver's Church at 7pm on 12th February next. ___________________________________________________________ Matt Duff, Lobinstown The death of Mr Matt Duff, Bengerstown, Lobinstown, on 6th January last, occasioned widespread sadness. Aged 81, he passed away at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. A native of Lobinstown, deceased is survived by his nieces, nephews, brother-in-law, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Holy Cross, Lobinstown, to Syddan Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Sally Marry, Drumconrath Mrs Sally Marry, Cloughmacoo, Drumconrath, who has died, was a member of the Duffy family of McCreanor Terrace, Ardee, Co Louth. Aged 78, she passed away at her residence on 8th January last, less than a year after the passing of her husband, Thomas, on 8th February 2010. She is survived by her sons, Paddy and Joe, Drumconrath, and Tommy, Donegal; daughters, Rose McCusker and Joan Carolan, Ardee, Ann Stewart, USA; Sarah Kelly, Drumconrath, and Catherine Levins, Collon; sister, Rosaleen Gillespie, Ardee; brothers, Matt Duffy, Ardee and Tommy Duffy, Galway; their families, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Drumconrath, to Drumconrath Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Bernard Byrne, Kingscourt The recent death occurred at the age of 81 at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim, of Mr Bernard (Paddy) Byrne, Cortubber, Kingscourt, and late of Barley Hill. Mr Byrne was involved in farming all his life and had a great interest in all farm animals. He enjoyed traditional music and song. Deceased is survived by his brothers, Michael, Barley Hill, and John Thomas, St Augustine's Abbey, Kent, England; sister, Philomena McEnaney, Dundalk, and nieces and nephews. The funeral took place from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kingscourt, to the adjoining cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Thomas Sheridan, Moynalty The death occurred in early December of Mr Thomas Sheridan, Corboggy, Moynalty, who was active in many farming and community activities in Moynalty. Aged 73, he passed away at Cavan General Hospital, and was a native of Corboggy, where he farmed the family farm. Deceased was a staunch member of the Irish Farmers' Association and took part in the Farmers' Rights Campaign of the 1960s. He was also a member of Moynalty Community Council and a founder member of the Steam Threshing Festival. Mr Sheridan was a member of the Vintage Club and took part in all of its activities. He was a great follower of the Meath team and all GAA sports. Deceased is survived by his brothers, John, Drakerath; Michael, Maio; Paddy, Navan; William Corboggy; sister, Nellie Smyth, Carrickspringan; sisters-in-law, Ann, Corboggy; Marie, Navan; Lil, Kells, and Breda Mullagh; 17 nieces, 15 nephews and a large circle of relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary; brothers, Tony and Jimmie; and sisters-in-law, Ercnat and Phyllis. The funeral took place on 8th December from St Mary's Church, Newcastle, to Moynalty 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, Joe, and family from Mayo to Trim in the early 1970s and since then she took an active part in Trim's societies and organisations such as the ICA and St Vincent de Paul. Mrs McGowan is survived by her husband, Joe; sons, Noel, Joe, and Brendan, 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 next, 23rd January at 12.30pm in St Patrick's Church.