Obituaries 10-09-11

There was widespread sadness following the passing on 4th August last of Mr Kevin O'Carroll, Beech Lodge, Brownstown, Navan, and formerly Sunhill, Termonfeckin, Co Louth. Aged 67, Mr O'Carroll died peacefully at home following a long illness. A native of Ballysheedy, Co. Limerick, deceased followed in the footsteps of his father as a horticulturist. He initially attained a Diploma in Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens and in 1968, received a Degree in Horticulture from University College Dublin. He later qualified with a Masters in Horticulture from University College Dublin in 1975. He was the first principal of An Grianin Horticultural College, Termonfeckin, Co Louth from 1968 to 1977 and following this he worked for Teagasc (formally Acot) in Dundalk, Co Louth and Lusk, Co Dublin, as a horticultural advisor until his retirement. Mr O'Carroll was a keen landscape designer and developed Hillcrest Nurseries of Brownstown with his son James-John. He had lived at Brownstown since 1982. An avid sports fan, he played rugby with Garryowen in his native Limerick and especially enjoyed following the fortunes of the Munster and Irish rugby teams, the Meath Gaelic football teams and Seneschalstown GAA Club. Deceased was regarded as a very socialable person who had time for everyone, young and old and this was reflected in the large attendance at his funeral of relatives, friends, former colleagues and students. He was always interested in anything his children and grandchildren were involved in and will be deeply missed by them. Mr O'Carroll fought his illness with great courage and resilience and showed immense patience throughout. Son of the late James and Margaret (Farrell) O' Carroll, of Brownstown, Navan, he is survived by his wife, Alice; son James-John; daughters Dearbhla, Sarah-Jane and Eimear; daughter-in-law; sons-in-law; 11 grandchildren; brother, Fr Fergus O'Carroll, Germany; sisters, Aileen Brady, Navan, Patricia Keane, Limerick, Nuala Mangan, Limerick and Therese Hurley, Cork; sister-in-law Ann O'Carroll, Dunshaughlin; nephews and nieces; cousins, colleagues, former students in An Grianin and friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Sean O'Carroll, Dunshaughlin, in 2003. The funeral took place on 6th August last from the Church of the Assumption, Kentstown to the adjoining cemetery, concelebrated by Fr Fergus O'Carroll, and Fr Peter Farrelly, Yellow Furze. A months memory mass will be held in Kentstown on Sunday 11th September at 11.30am. ___________________________________________________________ Patty Blount, Drumree The staging of the 2011 Royal Meath Agricultural Show in Trim last weekend is an apt time to remember the late Patricia (Patty) Blount of Drumree, who was a regular exhibitor and rosette winner in the home industries section of the show, and many other shows such as Granard and Virginia. Ms Blount, of Curraghtown, Drumree, passed away in March, at Heatherfield Nursing Home in Dunshaughlin. She was a founder member of Culmullen branch of the Irish Countrywomen's Association, and also a member of Meath Federation if ICA for a period. She travelled around to various guilds giving demonstrations in such skills as sewing and lacework. Deceased always enjoyed the agricultural shows and entered in several categories, from home produce to handcrafts, and was always amongst the prizewinners. Ms Blount was very active in parish activities in Culmullen over the years, and was prominent at sales of work which were popular fundraisers some time back. She enjoyed playing cards, especially in Summerhill, and in her youth was a skilled camogie player. Deceased is survived by her relatives, friends and neighbours. The funeral took place from St Martin's Church, Culmullen, to the adjoining cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Michael McGuire, Bellewstown The regretted death occurred on 21st August last of Mr Michael (Mick) McGuire, Milltown, Bellewstown, at his residence. Aged 67, he was formerly of Mohill, Co Leitrim, and Ardcath, Co Meath. Deceased is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, children, grandchildren, family and friends. The removal took place from his home to St Cianan's Church, Duleek, for funeral Mass, with burial afterwards in The Good Shepherd Cemetery, Duleek. _____________________________________________________________ Sr Helen Lally, Kilmessan The burial of ashes has taken place in Kilmessan of Sr Helen Lally, a member of the well-known farming family of Tribley, Bective. Sr Helen, a member of the Daughters of Charity Order in England, died in Liverpool, in her 92nd year. She was based in Ethiopia for most of her working life, and often organised fundraising events in Kilmessan for those suffering from starvation and malnutrition in the famine stricken country. Before Bob Geldof devised Live Aid, Sr Helen was organising fundraising for Ethiopia. She was sister of the late Mr Michael Lally of Tribley, and relatives in Kilmessan include her sister-in-law, Mrs Rita Lally, and family. ____________________________________________________________ John Joe Duignan, Bellinter There was widespread shock in the farming community and beyond at the sudden passing of Mr John Joe Duignan, Bellinter, Navan, on 13th August last, aged 64. Mr Duignan was a dairy and beef farmer at Bellinter, and was an active and popular member of the Irish Farmers Association and the Royal Meath Farmers Dairy Group. A native of Annaduff, Co Leitrim, he is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Colman, Mark and Martin; brother, Tony, Bellinter, sister, Josephine Duignan, Drumsna, Co Leitrim; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours, and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity, Kilmessan, to the adjoining cemtery, where guards of honour were provided by the IFA and Royal Meath Farmers Group during the obsequies. A month's memory Mass takes place on Friday 9th September at 8pm, in Kilmessan Church.