Sr Dolores Murray, Kilmessan

The death of Sr Margaret Dolores Murray, Religious Sisters of Charity, of Balgeeth, Kilmessan, and Ard Mhuire, Our Lady's Mount, Harold's Cross, Dublin, caused widespread sadness in Meath and Dublin as well as the communities across Ireland and abroad in which she had worked. Born on 28th June 1923, Sr Dolores was the last surviving member of the family of former Meath county councillor, RJ Murray, and his wife, Johanna. Her last remaining brother, Aidan, passed away in December. Having attended St Joseph's National School, Kilmessan, and St Michael's Loreto Convent, Navan, where she was a boarder in the 1930s, deceased entered the Religious Sisters of Charity (RSC) order in 1944. Writing in the Loreto Navan centenary publication in 2004, Sr Dolores said that her one desire as a young girl was to help the sick, the poor and the needy, and to do this, nursing seemed the most likely option. She started applying to hospitals for nurse training and came in contact with the RSC. She wrote: "I had the opportunity of working with them for a while and took advantage of visiting different institutions run by them. I noted that they seemed to have the answer to every knid of human need - hospitals, schools, centres for the blind and deaf, the handicapped, both mentally and physically, orphans, and deprived women." After a lot of soul searching, she applied for admission to the order, and was accepted. Sr Dolores was asked to go working with the Missions in 1957, which necessitated her going to London to study midwifery and tropical diseases. Other things she had to learn was not only to be able to drive a car, but to handle a Land Rover, and most importantly, to know how to change a wheel, she wrote. In 1958, she was missioned Northern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and first of all worked in Chikuni Mission Hospital. "This was quite a different scene from anything I had known before - no doctor, no running water, and no electricity. However, there were lots of goodwill, and the people were lovely and very appreciative of anything we could do for them," Sr Dolores wrote. She explained the thrill it was to see a child recover from malaria after a course of injections, or of assisting with a difficult maternity case and delivering a baby. Leprosy was also a big problem. With help from the Jesuit Fathers, the sisters were able to install running water and get the place wired for electricity, and get connected to the Mission generator, which gave light from 6pm-10pm, but after that light was from torches, tilley lamps or storm lanterns. After setting up a clinic on the Chivuna Mission, Sr Dolores returned to Ireland for further study in hospital administration, in 1961. When the Centre for the Blind was being set up in Lagos, Nigeria, one of the sisters who had gone out to establish it fell ill, and Sr Dolores found herself filling the gap until someone suitably trained to work with the blind was available. Among the visitors she had there was Cardinal Montini, later Pope Paul VI, who joined the sisters for a 'cuppa' and a photo session, and toured the centre. In 1963, deceased returned to Northern Rhodesia to go to different hospitals and clinics to allow sisters working there home for a rest and holiday. This took her to places such as Choma District Hospital, Namwala, a rural hospital, Lusaka and Ndola, both general hospitals. Namwala was a really isolated place, 108 miles from the nearest town or doctor, via a dirt road, and close to a big game reserve on the river Kafue. So on top of the usual ailments, the hospital also had to cope with leopard and crocodile bites and maulings by lions, as well as the inevitable snake bites. Sr Dolores' next base was Mazabuka District Hospital, where she remained until coming back to Ireland as a delegate to the General Chapter in 1971. She enjoyed her years in Africa and said she learned more from the people there than she could ever give them. Back home in Ireland, she moved to various centres such as Lakelands in Sandymount, an orphanage, six years in Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, then to Clarinbridge in Galway to oversee the building of a centre for mentally handicapped children at Ballyane in Galway city. This entailed Sr Dolores making a study of the subject and travelling to the Sweden, Denmark and Holland, as they were considered the most up to date, and later to attend conferences in Jerusalem and Toronto. When Pope John Paul II visited Ireland, and Galway, in 1979, he laid the foundation stone for the centre, which was subsequently named the Pope John Paul II Centre. In 1986, Sr Dolores was missioned to St Patrick's Hospital and Marymount Hospice in Cork, and from one nurse in 1986, she wrote in 2004 that there were 14 nurses with titles of clinical nurse specialist in palliative care. After 21 years in Cork, deceased returned to the community at Our Lady's Mount in Dublin, and spent a great deal of time in Kilmessan on retirement where she helped care for her brother, Aidan. Sr Dolores passed away on Friday, 3rd June, at Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross, Dublin. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Maud Farrelly, Balgeeth; Cormac, Ardsallagh; Finola Oakes, Bellinter; Kevin, Sligo; Una Ivory, Dunmore East; Ciaran, Riverstown, Kilmessan; Rita Fitzsimons, Navan; Joan Sampson, Canada; Frank, Hayes; and Aidan, Balgeeth. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Mary Murray, Balgeeth, Kilmessan, and Stella Murray, Hayes, Navan; nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews, relatives and friends, and her community at Ard Mhuire. The funeral Mass took place in Our Lady's Hospice Chapel, to the community cemetery, Donnybrook, on Wednesday of last week. In keeping with Sr Dolores' farm background and love of nature, all the hymns chosen for the Mass had the theme of nature running through them. ____________________________________________________________ John Nolan, Navan Family, neighbours and friends of John Nolan were joined by the business community of Navan and his many customers at Nolan's Pharmacies for his funeral Mass in St Mary's Church in the town on Monday morning. Mr Nolan, of Riceville Lodge, Athlumney, died on Friday last, aged 82, following a long illness. From Ballybay in Co Monaghan, where his father was the local dispensary doctor, Mr Nolan opened his first pharmacy in Navan in 1957, on Ludlow Street, moving to Trimgate Street in 1964. That business thrived, and in 1981, with the opening of Navan Shopping Centre, a second outlet was opened there. The Trimgate Street business moved to the new Bedford Medical Centre at Athlumney last year. Speaking at the funeral Mass on Monday, Fr Declan Hurley, Adm, Navan, said that John Nolan's belief was that his was not solely a business, but a service for the people of the community. Fr Hurley recalled Mr Nolan's involvement in the community, particularly in the Meals-on-Wheels organisation with his wife Therese. The Nolans were especially remembered for those who received deliveries on Christmas Day, he added. Mr Nolan was also a founder member of Navan Rotary Club in 1979, and received the highest honours of Rotary. He was president of the local Rotary club from 1982-'83, and received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for exceptional service, as well as the Paul Harris Sapphire Pin for continued outstanding service. Deceased was a keen sports enthusiast, always following the footballing fortunes of his native Monaghan, while golfing as a member of Royal Tara. He had a love of classical music. John and Therse Nolan celebrated the golden jubilee of their wedding last August, when the Meals-on-Wheels were the beneficaries of the occasion. Son of the late Dr Eugene and Charlotte Nolan, deceased is survived by his wife, Therese; sons, Paul, Conor, Karl and Shane; daughters-in-law, Kathy, Claire, Michelle and Clare; grandchildren; sister Caitlín, sisters-in-law, Sr Marcellina and Mona; brother-in-law, Stephen; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church to St Mary's Cemetery, celebrated by Fr Hurley, assisted by Fr Sean Nolan of the Diocese of Clogher, a cousin of the deceased. ____________________________________________________________ Frances Hand, Slane There was widespread sadness following the passing on 31st May last of Mrs Frances Hand, Boyne View, Slane. Mrs Hand (nee Rock) was predeceased by her husband, Ja, in 1985. An avid bingo player and a great sports enthusiast, she especially enjoyed the exploits of her first cousin showjumper Eddie Macken, and her favourite sports stars were Alex Higgins and Lester Piggott. Deceased is survived by her son, Gerry Hand, Slane; daughter-in-law, Gertrude; grandson, Killian; brother, Jim Rock, Slane; sisters, Kathleen Rock, Slane, Monica O'Rourke, Dublin, nieces, nephews and friends. The funeral took place from St Patricks Church, Slane, to Ardcath cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Peter Clarke, Navan There was widespread sadness following the peaceful death, at his residence, of Mr Peter Clarke, Athlumney Village, Navan on 16th May last, aged 79. Mr Clarke, a native of Dunderry, moved to Cookstown House, Kells and following his retirement lived in Sydenrath, Kells and latterly, Athlumney Village. A renowned horse breeder, deceased enjoyed superb success with the horses he bred. The most notable brood mares standing at Cookstown House were Tuna and Matcher. Tuna was dam of Carroll House, winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1989, who was trained by Michael Jarvis, ridden on the day by Mick Kinane. Carroll House also won the Phoenix Champion Stakes. Another mare standing at Cookstown was Matcher, dam of Park Express, a champion filly in Ireland and subsequently a leading brood mare, most notably the dam of New Approach. New Approach, by Galieo, was the highlight of the 2008 flat season with wins including the Epsom Derby. During his many trips abroad, Mr Clarke took a great interest in exploring the country he was visiting.  One such trip involved climbing Cowles Mountain, the highest point in the city of San Diego.  Another feat was to climb the 8,500 foot Mount Teidi on Tenerife Island.   President of Navan Rugby Football Club from 1955 to 1956, deceased continued to have a keen interest in horseracing, rugby and many other sports.   Son of the late Thomas and Cissie Clarke, he was predeceased by his son, Raphael; brother, Paddy; sister, Nora; and is survived by his wife, Margaret; sons, Peter, Tom, Charles, Paul, Brian and James; daughters, Marie and Nicola; sister, Helen; brother, Joe; grandchildren; nieces and nephews. The funeral took place from the Church of Christ the King, Cortown, to Kells Cemetery. A months memory Mass will be held in Cortown on Sunday 19th June at 10.30 am. ____________________________________________________________ Michael McCabe, Navan Mr Michael McCabe, Flemington, Balrath, and late of Clusker Park, Navan, died on 6th February last at Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, aged 67. Deceased's greatest love was gardening, and he worked for 17 years at Ashfield, Beauparc, as gardener, originally for the late Mrs DD Power and more recently for Mr Michael Bailey. He also had a keen interest in music and sport, particularly horseracing, football, shooting and fishing. Mr McCabe played guitar and sang with different bands over the years. He was predeceased by his father, Patrick, in December 1972, and brother, Thomas, in September 2004. Deceased is survived by his family, Darren, Amanda, Cathal, and their mother, Mary Ann; Michael, William, Michelle, Shane, and their mother, Ann; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; mother, Nancy, partner, Sheila; brothers; sisters; nephews; nieces; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, to the Hill of Tara cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ James Rogers, Kilmainhamwood The regretted death occurred on 12th March last of Mr James (Jimmy) Rogers, Aughamore, Kilmainhamwood. His sudden death came as a shock to his family, friends and neighbours. Aged 75 years, deceased was a friendly person whose life was dedicated to farming. He also had a big interest in Gaelic football. Deceased is survived by his brothers, Paddy, Aughamore, Mattie, New Jersey; sisters, Mary, New Jersey, Peggy, Dunleer, Rosella, New York, Sheila, Oldcastle, and Philomena, Bailieboro; nephews, nieces; brothers-in-law; relatives and friends. There was a large attendance at the funeral in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Kilmainhamwood, celebrated by Fr John Cooney, PP and Fr John Halton, PP, Tempo, Co Fermanagh. Burial took place afterwards in Kingscourt. ____________________________________________________________ Elizabeth Curtis, Boyerstown Mrs Elizabeth (Elissa) Curtis, Boyerstown, Navan, who passed away on 6th May last, was a native of Boyle, Co Roscommon. Mrs Curtis (nee Taheny) was aged 84 and died at Millbury Nursing Home, Navan. She was predeceased in December 2010 by her husband, Mr Alfred (Alfie) Curtis. She is survived by her daughters, Geraldine, Boyerstown, and Eilish, Trim; son, Patrick, Boyerstown; son-in-law, Eamonn; daughter-in-law, Edel; grandchildren, Emma, Amy, Rachel, Sarah and Peter; relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Carmel O'Mahony, Mullingar The parish priest of Skryne, Fr Thomas O'Mahony, was bereaved last week by the sudden death of his mother, Mrs Carmel O'Mahony, Lissadel, Auburn Road, Mullingar. Mrs O'Mahony (nee Dargan), died suddenly at home on Tuesday of last week. She was predeceased by her husband, Brendan, and is survived by family, Patrick, Emer, Cyril, Eithne, Brendan, Una, Finbarr, Kathleen, Philomena, Thomas, Marie and Seamus; sisters, brothers, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbours and friends. Her funeral took place from the Cathedral of Christ the King, to Rathwire Cemetery, Killucan, on Friday last.