Obituaries 21-05-2011

The sad death recently occurred at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, of Mr Matthew 'Mochín' Keating, 37 Parnell Park, Navan. Aged 85, he was a son of Thomas and Julia Keating of Balreask Old, Navan, and worked for many years as a builder's labourer, helping to build many projects for the late Cormac Murray. The late Mr Keating was a perfectionist when it came to his work and made a fine art of laying a block. He was a lover of all sports, something which gave him many hours of television viewing pleasure, particularly in later years. Predeceased by his wife, Mrs Kitty Keating (nee Smyth), in 1998; by his twin brother, Jim, in 1996, and his sister, Patricia, in 2009, he was a man of great stature but a gentle nature. Deceased is survived by his daughter, Ms Mary Keating-Gordon, Parnell Park, Navan; son-in-law, Finbar Gordon; grandchildren, Aoife and Mark; his niece, Martina Martin, whom deceased regarded as his second daughter, and her husband, Chris Martin, Ongenstown, Bohermeen, and children, Ryan Martin, Ongenstown, and Ross Martin, Ashbourne; brother, Paddy Keating, Navan; sisters, Rita Moore, Navan; Sheila Clarke, Navan; Joan O'Shea, Dublin; Chrissie Dineen, Dublin, and Ena Stenson, Dublin; nephews, nieces and other relatives. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. A month's memory Mass will take place on Sunday 29th May in St Mary's Church, Navan, at 11am. ___________________________________________________________ Frances Noone, Navan The regretted death occurred on 17th April last of Mrs Frances Noone, Railway Street, Navan. Mrs Noone was renowned for her generous and friendly disposition and had a wide circle of friends. She got great enjoyment from travel, both in Ireland and abroad. She also enjoyed threatre and concerts in her spare time. Her strong faith sustained her throughout her life and she participated in annual pilgrimages to the Marian Shrine at Knock. She was particularly dedicated to her voluntary work for Oxfam. Deceased is survived by her husband, Paddy; son, Stephen and his fiancée, Linda; grandchildren, Stephen and Sacha; brother, Martin; sister-in-law, Geraldine; niece, Victoria; her best friend, Jackie (all Navan); brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncle, nephews, nieces and other relatives. The funeral took place on Wednesday 20th April from St Mary's Church to St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Kelly, Navan, and by her cousin, Monsignor Thomas Fallon, Birmingham, England. A guard of honour was provided by Oxfam volunteers on the day of the funeral. A month's memory Mass will take place this Saturday, 21st May, in St Mary's Church, Navan, at 6pm. __________________________________________________________ Mary Gore, Navan Heartfelt sadness was felt throughout Navan following the recent death at her home of Mrs Mary Gore, Fitzherbert Court, Navan. A native of Emmet Terrace, Navan, she was a daughter of Kevin and Anne Thompson. A hairdresser by trade, she ran her own salon at Blackcastle Shopping Centre for many years and, after the sale of her business, she worked in Marks and Spencer in Navan, a job she enjoyed immensely. She had a great outlook on life, and had strong faith and great belief. Throughout her illness, Mrs Gore battled on, never complained and showed great strength. She was cared for at home by her family with great support from Palliative Care. A legend of a woman, she was much loved and appreciated and had a smile for everyone and her passing is a huge loss to her family and friends. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt and true friend to many. She left everyone with beautiful memories that will be treasured forever. Deceased is survived by her family, Anto, Leonie and Lana, and other relatives. The funeral took place to St Finian's Cemetery, Navan, after the funeral Mass in St Mary's Church, Navan. A month's memory Mass will take place on Saturday 28th May at 7pm in St Oliver's Church, Blackcastle. __________________________________________________________ Thomas Gill, Enfield and Dundalk Mr Thomas (Tom) Gill, Littlemills, Dundalk, died peacefully at his residence, surrounded by his family, after a short illness bravely borne, on 7th April last. Aged 56, he was the youngest of five children of Christopher (Kit) and Philomena Gill, Kilcorney, Enfield. On completion of his education at Enfield National School and Longwood Secondary School, Mr Gill took up employment in Customs and Excise, where he gave 37 years of service before early retirement in January 2011. Living in Dundalk since September 1974, he always remained a true Meath man, proud of his roots. He spent parts of his career as an officer in Customs and Excise at Dublin Port, Dundalk Railway Station and the Carrickarnon Frontier Post, Dundalk Road Station, but spent a large amount of time with the Dundalk Mobile Unit where he made many lasting friends, in particular, Pat Fahy and Martin Hegarty. Mr Gill had a difficult job during difficult times, yet he always saw the positive side of things and took great strength from the family behind him. In later years, he worked with the Revenue Commissioners in the Millennium Building, Dundalk. Deceased met his future wife, Phyllis (nee Dolan), in 1984, and after they married, they built their home together in Littlemills, Thomastown. They went on to have two daughters, Ellen and Alice, of whom he was so proud. They all shared a love of the land and things connected with nature. A great conversationalist, Mr Gill especially enjoyed engaging with old and young alike. His quick wit and gentle sense of humour was a trademark and was appreciated by all who knew him. With his good heart and compassion for others, he had the capacity and desire to help those in need. Modest as he was, he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did; when he helped, he simply helped, and will be remembered as a man of great humility, honesty and integrity. He had a wide variety of interests, mostly centred around his home and family, where he was very accomplished in DIY skills. His keen intellect was honed by his extensive reading list, his interest in current affairs and his accurate observance of life and judge of character. His wide range of activities included reading, walking, golf, gardening, completing cryptic crosswords, with the Sunday Times crossword presenting an eagerly anticipated challenge. He was a member of Killinbeg Golf Club, where he was captain in 2009, and was a keen follower of the Meath team and always remained a Royal County supporter. Mr Gill also was awarded a gold pin for being a blood donor. Deceased was a very sociable character, with a gifted singing voice and a great presence on the dancefloor. He took a keen interest and great pride in the academic and sporting achievements of his family and the activities they enjoyed. Predeceased by his infant brother, Christopher; father, Kit, and mother, Philomena, Mr Gill is survived by his wife, Phyllis; daughters, Ellen and Alice; sisters, Angela Barnewall, Maynooth; Valerie Kenny, Longwood; brothers, Kevin Gill, Enfield, and his twin Gerry Gill, Wicklow; mother-in-law, Peggy Dolan; brothers-in-law, Seamus Barnewall, Mick Kenny, Tom Reilly and Frank Watters; sisters-in-law, Eilish Reilly, Margaret Watters and Caroline Gill; nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and other relatives. The requiem Mass at the Church of Immaculate Conception, Kilkerley, was celebrated by Fr Malachy Conlon, CC, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Kilkerley Choir was accompanied by soloists Deirdre Morgan and Paddy McIntyre. Guards of honour were formed by past and present members of Killinbeg Golf Club, colleagues from Customs and Excise and the Revenue Commissioners and staff and pupils from St Vincent's Secondary School, Dundalk. At the graveside, a traditional instrumental tribute was rendered by Michael Clarke and Paddy McIntyre. __________________________________________________________ Michael Fitzsimons, Cavan Ireland's oldest man at the time of his passing on 30th April last, Mr Michael Fitzsimons of Knocknataggart, Stradone, Co Cavan, was father of Sean Fitzsimons, who founded Fitzsimons' Fitted Kitchens at Laracor, Trim. Michael Fitzsimons was a master craftsman who made everything from clogs to carts, to carpentry tools and even a boat. He worked in the building trade and built many fine houses around Cavan, passing his skills onto his youngest son who founded the local kitchen manufacturing company. Deceased, born in 1904, had vivid memories of the sinking of the Titanic, the First And Second World Wars, and the early struggle for Irish Independence, and he played with the Clifferna Pipe and Drum Band in the 1920s. He rode his bicycle until he was 100 years-old. He had celebrated his 106th birthday at his home on 23rd February last. Predeceased by his wife, Rose Ellen, and son, Frank, deceased is survived by his daughters, Sr Maura (Presentation Sisters), Rita and Carmel; sons, Michael and Sean; son-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and relatives. The funeral took place from St Michael's Church, Clifferna, to the adjoining cemetery. __________________________________________________________ Owen Roe McGovern, Cavan and New York The death has occurred in New York of Mr Owen Roe McGovern, who was the last surviving member of the Cavan team that defeated Kerry in the famous All-Ireland Football Final in the Polo Grounds, New York, in 1947. Mr McGovern was a member of the team that faced Meath in 1949, when he played at left-corner back in the final that saw Meath take their first All-Ireland senior football title. He had come on as a substitute in the previous year's final against Mayo, which Cavan won, but the Royal County prevented their neighbours achieving three-in-a-row in 1949. Aged 92, he was born in Swanlinbar in December 1918. He was a noted defender who could easily slot into a team at corner-back or in the half-back line. He made it onto the county team for the first time at the age of 27, having won an All-Ireland medal as a member of the Armed Forces football team. He had also made an impression, along with his brothers, with Swanlinbar in junior championships. By the time of Cavan's 1952 All-Ireland win over Meath, he was no longer part of the team as he was playing club football with Clan na nGael in Dublin. With his wife, Phyllis, he moved to New York to work in 1957, and bought the Morley and McGovern Public House in New Jersey, also setting up a team there, the Elizabeth Gaels. Mr McGovern passed away on 2nd May last. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis; family, Jerry, Brian, Owen Jr and Holly; 12 grandchildren; brother, Joseph, Swanlinbar; in-laws, nieces and nephews. The funeral Mass took place at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Elizabeth, New Jersey, followed by interment at St Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, NJ. __________________________________________________________ Mai Callaghan, Walterstown The regretted death occurred on 13th April last of Mrs Mai Callaghan, Gerrardstown, Garlow Cross, Navan, at St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin. Mrs Callaghan was a daughter of Rebecca and the late Brendan Burke, and was predeceased by her husband, Pat Callaghan, in March 2003. She is remembered as a loving and remarkable daughter, mother, sister, grandmother and aunt, who loved so many and was loved back by so many, and who leaves memories of a genuinely good person who will be cherished forever. Deceased is survived by her mother, Rebecca Burke; daughters, Linda, Sandra, Brenda and Denise; sons, Pat, Paul and Sean; sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, family partners, brothers, Frank, Patrick, Tommy and Michael; nine grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews and dear friend, Carmel. The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, to Old Kilcarn Cemetery, Navan.