Obituaries 09-03-2013

William Daly, Enfield The death occurred peacefully at his home, on 6th February last of Mr William (Bill) Daly, Ballycarn, Enfield, in his 96th year. A native of Ballycarn, he was son of the late Bill and Mary Daly, and was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty), in June 2007. Deceased was born on 3rd April 1917, and having left school at 14, worked with Cosgraves of Enfield as a farm labourer. He then went on to drive lorries for the Wells and Darcy families. At the age of 25, he was employed by CIE's railway department. He was with CIE for almost 40 years until he retired in April 1982 at the age of 65. He worked on the railway in Enfield for a number of years before being transferred to Kilmainhamwood. He spent a few years on the railway in North Meath before returning to Enfield in 1949 when his father became ill. It was during his time around North County Meath that he met Elizabeth (Betty) Carlon and after a 22-year courtship they married in May 1964. Deceased was a great footballer and played with Enfield, Kilmainhamwood, Nobber and Kingscourt. He was one of the 'Nobber men of 1946', when Nobber won their first Junior Championship in 1946 although the match was not played until April 1947. He was part of that team, and often cycled from Nobber to Enfield and back again in a 66 miles round trip. He was the last member of the old Enfield football team from the 1940s. Bill and Betty Daly were one of the first people to sell strawberries in the Enfield area. After he retired, he kept a few calves and up until recent years would travel to Croke Park to see Meath playing. He is survived by his sons, Billy and Pat; daughters-in-law, Martina and Miriam; grandchildren, Rebecca, Daniel, Julieann and Anna; sister-in-law, Josie; nieces, nephews, relatives and a wide number of friends. The funeral took place from the Church Of The Assumption, Jordanstown, to the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Mary McMahon, Navan The death of Mrs Mary (May) McMahon, Farganstown, Navan, occurred on 16th February last, aged 72. A native of Gerrardstown, Oldtown, she was a member of the Smith family and was predeceased by her husband, Tom, in May 2010. She is survived by her sons, Pat, Gerry, Thomas and Michael; daughters, Anne, Tina, Mary, Sheila, Bernie, Deirdre, Louise and Olive; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; brothers; sisters; brothers-in-laws; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, to St Mary's Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Eucharia Carroll, Duleek Considerable sadness was occasioned by the death of Mrs Eucharia Carroll, St Cianan's Villas, Duleek, on 29th January last, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, aged 64. Mrs Carroll (nee Flaherty), is survived by her husband, Michael; daughters, Siobhan Maguire and Tracey Lynch; and sons, Kevin, Darren and Michael junior; and extended family. The funeral took place from St Cianan's Church, Duleek, to Good Shepherd Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Stacey Griffin, Slane Great shock and sadness descended on the village of Slane with news of the recent passing of 25 year-old Stacey Griffin in St Vincent's Ward of the Mater Hospital, Dublin. Stacey was a young and vibrant girl who was popular in the local community. She worked in the local creche, Early Buds, as a Montessori teacher and was loved by both children and parents alike, always making children feel safe and special. She was a very strong and enthusiastic person who left a ray of sunshine wherever she went. Her laughter was infectious and her smile could light up any room. Stacey packed a lot into her short life and was not afraid of work, be it on work experience or part-time jobs at Maples Montessori, Beeches Montessori, Pudden Hill and The Roadhouse in Slane. Her love of music brought her to all the venues and festivals she could get to. Her strength and courage became obvious when she was diagnosed with cancer, a blow she faced bravely and was an inspiration to all. Deceased is survived by her parents, Derek and Deirdre; sisters, Emma and Wendy; brother, Gary; her grandparents, Pat and Ann Griffin and Nano Hickey, all Slane; her aunts, uncles and cousins and extended family members. The large circle of friends who played a big part in her life were of great help through her illness. The loss of Stacey at such a young age has been indescribable for them and she will be greatly missed. There was a large attendance at her funeral which took place in St Patrick's Church, Slane, with burial following in St Erc's Cemetery, Slane. She not only stopped traffic on the day of her funeral, but also that evening, when her many friends and family members released lanterns in her memory - a special moment which lit up the sky. A month's memory Mass will take place in St Patrick's Church, Slane, this Sunday, 10th March, at 11am. _____________________________________________________________ Fr Tom Meagher CSSp, Ratoath and Kimmage Fr Thomas Francis Valentine Meagher CSSp, was a Spiritan (Holy Ghost) missionary from Ratoath who died on 22nd February last in the Dublin nursing home of his congregation. He was aged 94. Born in Ratoath on 11th February 1919, deceased lived for many years across the road from the local church where he was baptised and confirmed. After secondary school studies in St Finian's College, Mullingar, he entered the Spiritan novitiate when he was 18 years old. He was ordained in July 1945 by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. After ministering briefly in England, Fr Tom went to East Africa in 1946 and would spend over 50 years in Kenya including a long period as secretary and financial adviser to the local bishop, coinciding with the era when the people rose up against the colonial power, a government-declared state of emergency existed and Kenya would go on to enjoy the early years of independence. On hearing of his death, Sr Christine Wanjiru Kagunye ASN, the Superior General of the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi wrote how Fr Tom 'was instrumental in the founding of our congregation' and 'braved many challenges' while he would be remembered as 'open-minded, straightforward, uncompromising in matters of faith and a tough disciplinarian who was also friendly and humorous'. Returning to Ireland in 2000, Fr Tom was part of his congregation's Kimmage Manor community from then until his death. He was predeceased by his brothers, Louis and Paddy, both of whom were Jesuit priests, and Leonard, as well as by his sisters, Sr Ignata (Loreto Balbriggan) and Eileen Boylan. He was buried in Dublin on Monday 25th February.