Obituaries 19-02-2011

The news of the passing of Mr Oliver Cunningham (80) of Derryconnor, Ballivor, following a year-long illness, caused great sadness in Ballivor and further afield. A native of Derryconnor, deceased was a family man who spent a very happy lifetime working on his farm. He was also dedicated to serving his local community. Mr Cunningham had a lifetime involvement with the local GAA clubs, both as a player in his youth, as chairman of Killyon Hurling Club for many years and as a committee member of Ballivor Football Club. He was a founder member of the Ballivor Horse Show 40 years ago and was proud to serve at committee level ever since as vice-chairman of the show. Mr Cunningham was also involved in Ballivor Parish Committee and Community Council. Deceased is survived by his wife, Annie; family, Josephine, Declan, Anne Marie, Oliver T, Roisin and Enda; grandchildren, Orla, Ciara, Alanna and Meabh; brothers; sisters; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place on Saturday 29th January from the Church of St Columbanus, Ballivor to the local cemetery. A months mind Mass takes place on Saturday 26th February at the Church of St Columbanus at 7.30 pm. Ballivor Horse Show Committee has paid tribute to the late Mr Cunningham, saying he was vice chairman of the show committee since its foundation over 40 years ago. The committee writes: “Oliver was very much involved in the founding of the show. It was always noted that it all started with a conversation in Oliver's hay barn between the late Jim Dargan and the late Andy Elliott. Following that, the plan to run a show began, and a number of local men and women formed a horse show committee with Jim as chairman and Oliver as vice-chairman. “Oliver was an outstanding vice-chairman and worked hard each year for the success of the show' not alone supporting the chairman but encouraging helping all the officers and committee members. He started checking the show grounds in early spring and organised the team in early years with the late Eddie Duignan and in recent years with Mick McKeown, to start moving the jumps to the fields and fencing the arena, getting shrubs organised and the 1,001 things that have to be done in preparation for the show. He was a outstanding organiser and leader, was able to get the young as well as the not so young working towards the same goal and if he seen anything going wrong he went about rectifying it. He did it all in a quiet manner with a smile and a joke and most of all with a great insight in to the feeling of others. “At meetings, Oliver could always be relied to consider situations and give his honest opinion, which was valued and usually followed because there was no ‘one up manship' with Oliver. He was wise and was true to the good of the show. “We will all miss Oliver, especially his good humour and friendship. We will miss Oliver most when we need a lift and when things go wrong, and decisions have to be made. We all extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family.†_____________________________________________________________ Fintan Brennan, Mullingar The death occurred on 10th December last of Fintan Brennan, Lynn Road, Mullingar at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar, following a period of illness. Mr Brennan was father of Moynalvey Adm, Fr David Brennan. A native of Clough, Co Laois, deceased worked with the Department of Agriculture and retired as a district superintendent in 2004. He was also deeply involved in his parish and the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar. The removal of remains took place to the Cathedral, where Fr Padraig McMahon, Adm officiated in the presence of Bishop Michael Smith and many priests of the parish and Diocese. The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr Brennan, deceased's nephew Fr Leo Henry and many other priests. Mr Brennan is survived by his wife, Eva; sons, Adrian, Niall, Fr David, Declan; daughter, Deirdre; sister, brother, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, and grandchildren. ___________________________________________________________ Mary Duffy, Navan There was widespread sadness following the death of Mrs Mary Duffy, St Mary's Park, Navan, and Woodlands House Nursing Home, Navan, in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, on 15th January last, aged 79. Mrs Duffy was predeceased by her husband, Ultan, in March 1994. Daughter of the late Joseph and Kathleen McKeown, she was a native of Kilberry, and moved to Navan in 1954 following marriage. Deceased will be remembered as a loving mother, sister, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt and a great friend to many. She has left everyone with wonderful memories that will be treasured forever. Mrs Duffy is survived by her sons Michael, Ferndale, Navan; Paul, Tara Glen Road, Navan; Ultan, Beaufort Place, Navan; Gary, St Mary's Park, Navan; daughters, Marie, London; Rosaleen, Ferndale, Navan; and Deborah, London; grandchildren; sisters, Kathleen Timmons, Kilberry; Josie Kelly, Kildalkey; Cepta Carrie, Kilberry; Anne Curtis, Balrath; brother, John, Toronto, Canada; daughters-in-law, son-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. ___________________________________________________________ Margaret Smith, Kells There was widespread sadness following the recent death of Mrs Margaret (Maggie) Smith, Normanstown, Kells, in her 97th year, at Woodlands Nursing Home, Navan. Mrs Smith was a member of the Kiernan family, Kells, and on marriage to the late Pat Smith, moved to Maperath and later to Normanstown. Deceased had a great interest in sport and was the last surviving member of the Maperath camogie team. She enjoyed going to bingo. Her great love was music, and she instilled this passion in her daughter, Margaret, by bringing her to Sr Catherine in Kells for weekly accordion lessons. Deceased got great joy from listening to her daughter play and travelled with her around the locality for many years when she played in a band. Mrs Smith was regarded as hard working, and her home was always a haven for her many neighbours and friends in the wider Carlanstown and Kells communities. She also had a great love for her grandchildren and showered them with kindness, and taught her family about the importance of life, family and friends. Mrs Smith's funeral took place on 8th December last, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was appropriate as she had a great devotion to Our Lady and the Rosary, and attended many pilgrimages to Knock. Many travelled in adverse weather conditions to attend the removal and funeral Mass. Predeceased by her husband, Pat, Mrs Smith is survived by her daughter, Mags Carr; grandchildren, Mandy, James, and Jenny; great grandchildren, Evan, Danny and Kobey; sister-in-law, niece, nephews, and a large circle of friends. The funeral took place from St Colmcille's Church to St Colmcille's Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Patrick Pidgeon, Dowth Hall The death occurred 19th January last of Mr Patrick Terence (Patsy) Pidgeon, of Dowth Hall, Drogheda, following a short illness, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. A well known farmer and herdsman, deceased was the last surviving member of the Pidgeon family. Born in 1924, he was the youngest child of John Pidgeon and Catherine (nee Garvey). He grew up in Donore with brother, Johnny and sisters, Ita and Annie. The family then moved to the nearby Newtown Platin House where they farmed tillage and stock for a number of years before selling their lands to Irish Cement. The brothers then farmed at Rockfield Estate, Kells, before moving back to the banks of the Boyne at Dowth Hall. Mr Pidgeon was regarded as a hard worker, farming all of his life. A talented sportsman, he played Gaelic football for St Vincent's, Ardcath, and later Donore, when a team was formed there. He was also selected to play for the Meath minors where he distinguished himself. He won a Feis Cup medal with St Vincent's as well as championship and tournament medals. Other interests included game shooting, providing pheasants and rabbits for the table. He liked nature and watched the red deer herd in Dowth. He had a good interest in archaeology and the Boyne Valley and was happy to hand over 'the caves' or tumulus at Dowth to the OPW about 15 years ago. While his brother focussed on tillage and horses evolving to tractors, Mr Pidgeon looked after sheep and cattle, with both dairying and sending milk to Craigies of Finglas. They kept a purebred Aberdeen Angus herd and regularly won the Fat Stock Show in Drogheda mart in December, and were proud holders of the Clarke Cup sponsored by Clarke's pub. The Pidgeon brothers were one of the first in the area with a car, a Morris Minor, which they would fill with friends and head to dances or summer carnivals in Kilmoon, Collon, Duleek and further afield. Deceased travelled to Lourdes on one occasion and took day trips to Knock or other places of interest in the west of Ireland. Although he was somewhat reserved, he was good fun and loved to chat at the fireside with Johnny, Annie and friends who visited including lifelong friend Mikey Scanlon who worked on their farm as a young chap, Fr Sheerin, Albert Murray, Tommy Cooney, Joe Lenehan, and Marie (Gogarty) Clarke. Mr Pidgeon was predeceased by his brother, Johnny, in 2007; sisters, Annie (2009) and Ita (McCloskey); and niece, Anne Faulkner in 2010. He is survived by McCloskey nephews, grandnephews and grandnieces and extended family. The Requiem Mass was celebrated in Monknewtown Church by Fr Joe Deegan, PP, Slane, assisted by Fr Michael Sheerin, PP Lobinstown. Burial followed in Holy Cross Cemetery, Duleek. A month's mind Mass will be celebrated in Monknewtown Church on Sunday 20th February at 9.30am. ___________________________________________________________ Rosy Smyth, Castletown The death occurred on 28th January last of Mrs Rosy Smyth of Grange, Castletown Kilpatrick, at her residence, in her 90th year. Mrs Smyth loved sport and played camogie in her younger days. Deceased was an ardent supporter of the local GAA team and the Meath team, and attended many matches through the years. She had a passion for flowers and gardening. She a great love of nature and she bred her own birds - finches and canaries. She also loved baking brown bread and especially her well loved apple tart. Mrs Smyth had a great sense of humour and had a warm welcome for all who called to see her. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Predeceased by her husband, Willie, she is survived by her sons, Paddy and Colm, Grange, Castletown KP; daughters, Ann Brodigan, Alverno Heights, Laytown; Mona Smyth, Rahood, Nobber; Pauline Reilly, Balreask, Navan; Teresa Smith, Rathe, Nobber; Cora Cluskey, Cedarfield, Drogheda; Noeline Bray, Boyerstown, Navan; daughters-in-law; sons-in-law; grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Bridget and Maisie; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral took place on from St Patrick's Church, Castletown Kilpatrick to the local cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Michael O'Flaherty, Kilcloon There was widespread sadness following the death on 13th October last of Mr Michael Stephen O'Flaherty, Kilgraigue, Maynooth, at Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown. Aged 75 years, Mr O'Flaherty was son of Michael and Kitty O'Flaherty and a native of Castlegregory, Co Kerry. The family moved to Meath on 13th March 1946. He was a dairy farmer for 51 years. Very involved in church and parish activities, deceased was a golden jubilarian member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. Mr O'Flaherty played football with the old Kilcloon club, and then with Drumree, and was a member of the Drumree team that won the Junior Championship of 1959, the first adult title won by that club. He is survived by his wife, Mary (nee Fahy); family, Olive Humphreys; Aidan O'Flaherty; Mary C O'Flaherty; Michelle Flynn; Eileen Moen; and Ashling Kelleher; sisters, Nora Lynch, New York; Sr Peggy, Zambia; Joan Smyth, Philadelphia, USA; Sheila Vitale, New Jersey, USA; and Sr Evelyn (Kitty), Texas; daughter-in-law, Assumpta; sons-in-law, Clive, Dermot, Ciaran, Patrick; 12 grandchildren; in-laws, relatives and friends. Mr O'Flaherty was predeceased by his sisters, Sr Eileen, MMM, Drogheda, Mary Foley, Dunshaughlin, and Betty Groenewpan, Holland. The funeral took place from St Oliver Plunkett's Church, Kilcloon, to the adjoining cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Mary O'Reilly Staunton, Trim There was widespread sadness following the passing on 9th December last of Mrs Mary O'Reilly Staunton, Newtown Close, Abbey View, Trim, at the age of 56. Daughter of the late Oliver and Frances O'Reilly of Trim, she was born in 1954, into a staunch GAA family. Her father was immersed in all aspects of the association and served Meath and Trim CLG as a player, administrator and referee. Deceased was educated at Mercy Convent, Trim; University College, Dublin; NUI Maynooth and Harriott-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland. She taught maths and accountancy for many years at St Joseph's Mercy Convent, Athboy. Later, she took up a position with the Stewards' Hospital Organisation, initially at Palmerstown, Dublin and then at their new facility at Kilcloon. There, she taught her clients art and textile design. Many of the tapestries, designed by Mrs O'Reilly Staunton, and produced by her clients, depicting scenes from Meath's archaeological heritage, are on display at Dundalk IT; An Bord Altranais, Blackrock; and Kiltale National School. Her two great hobbies were music and gardening. She was a regular visitor to the Chelsea Flower Show, and when her illness no longer permitted her to tend to her garden at home in Trim, she was so grateful to Robert for maintaining its upkeep to her own high standards. Although she claimed not to be a good singer, Mrs O'Reilly Staunton was proud to be a member of the Trim Castle Choral group since its inception and delighted in their performances in some of the world's greatest concert halls, such as the Royal Albert Hall, London; the National Concert Hall Dublin; and The Cork Opera House. Indeed it was poignantly sad, yet uplifting, to hear The Castle Singers perform so beautifully at her funeral Mass, under the baton of her life long friend, Jane Lynch. Mrs O'Reilly Staunton's family will be forever indebted to Dr Larry McEntee GP, Trim, the Meath Palliative Care Team, the Irish Red Cross and night nurse Catriona Murray for the care and attention they provided for her during the final weeks of her life. Deceased is survived by her husband, Tom; sisters, Patricia, Trim, and Angela, Moycullen, Co Galway; brothers, Philip, Navan; and Frank, Trim; nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; relatives and many friends. The funeral Mass took place in St Patrick's Church, Trim, followed by burial in St Mary's Cemetery, Navan.