Obituaries 15th February 2014
Dolly Kelly, Rathmolyon
The door that Dolly Kelly (nee Gorry), Cherryvalley, Rathmolyon, held open to all who would wish to enter was closed gently on 8th December last when she was called home at the end of a life of selfless and generous service to her family, friends and the community of Rathmolyon.
To her family, sons Paschal, Declan, Tom, Colin and daughters Angela, Jill and Grace, and especially her husband Tommy, a vacuum has been left that they know can never be filled; along with Dolly’s grandchildren, Siobhan, Joseph, Yvonnne, Eamon, Ciara, Aaron, Darragh, Celine, Niamh, William, Shauna, Stephen, Jessica and Maeve, and great-grandchildren, Seán and Rory, they can reflect on a life that was one of giving, of listening, of carrying other people’s burdens and of caring. Dolly cared for her own mother, Kitty, her sister Jean and her brother, Jackie in their final years whilst also running one of the busiest homes in Rathmolyon. She did so with grace.
The people of Rathmolyon speak of Dolly as a one-of-a-kind, a person of pure heart. She found time to help anyone who was in need and was a confidant of many. Dolly Kelly lived her life with a low profile; she didn’t seek the limelight and, instead, dedicated herself to the silent service of others.
She was a person of faith; in her final days she never left her Rosary out of her hands – indeed, her family were often given presents of Rosary beads and prayer books, as she encouraged her family to follow their own spiritual journeys. She offered the best kind of support possible – she led by example and lived by what she asked of others.
Dolly Kelly’s home was a busy home, not just because of the presence of the seven children she loved and that of her husband, but because she welcomed one and all; the recipes for her brown bread, apple tarts and scones were well sought after, but Dolly shared everything. It was her life, it was her way. Indeed, Dolly was also known to turn her gifted hands to creating some trendy outfits for her children (including her daughter’s wedding dresses) on her prized possession of a foot operated Singer sewing machine.
Her neighbours speak lovingly of a woman who always seemed to know what to say, when to say it and, indeed, when silence was the answer. She did not climb mountains, she simply moved them with her caring and loving words. She did not cause problems but provided countless solutions to anyone who needed her help; Dolly never refused anyone. She shared who she was, and who she was one of the most remarkable residents the beautiful village of Rathmolyon has nurtured.
Dolly did not believe in labels; where others saw cause to turn away, she welcomed openly. She refused to judge; and far from winning titles or races, she was the one who made sure everyone else was in a position to do so. As a teenager, her gift of music was acknowledged when she was asked to become the singer with one of the era’s best-known groups, ‘The Gold And Silver’ and America beckoned. However Dolly chose to put her home life, and duty to her family, first.
In later years, Dolly was encouraged to record her beautiful singing voice; indeed, one of her proudest moments was having her CD played on LMFM. And her version of ‘Tennessee Waltz’ is not unknown in the homes of South Meath.
She accepted the march of time with the same pragmatism that she demonstrated all of her life. She adapted and moved on – still caring for others, still making herself available to anyone in need, while playing down her own pain and suffering.
At her funeral Mass, her son Colin sang one of Dolly’s favourite hymns, ‘Silent Night’ and two lines resonated far beyond the parish church: ‘All is calm, all is bright’ and ‘Sleep in heavenly peace’.
Dolly is lovingly remembered by her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, Paddy, Joe and Vincent, sons- and daughters-in-law, friends, especially Maeve, Catherine and Rose, and neighbours. The funeral took place from St Michael’s Church, Rathmolyon, to Kill Cemetery.
John Fowler, Ashbourne
The death occurred on 13th January last of John Fowler, Cookstown, Ashbourne, at Heatherfield Nursing Home, Dunshaughlin, where he had resided for ten years.
He was aged 96, and was loved by proprietors Noreen and Geraldine, and staff and visitors alike.
Deceased was born in New York on 30th September 1917 to Irish parents Robert Fowler from Wicklow and Catherine (Kate) Blake of Redbog, Dunshaughlin. His parents returned to Ireland when he was four years of age and he grew up and lived the remainder of his life in Cookstown Ashbourne. He worked for many years at the Ganly Craigie cattle mart in Ashbourne.
John read extensively and had a great general knowledge from world and local affairs to sport particularly horse racing and GAA. He was a gentle man who lived quietly with his sister Mary, and enjoyed the frequent visits from his sister Regina, and children. She had married Mickey Kenny from neighbouring Dunshaughlin.
John gardened extensively growing all his own vegetables and fruit organically. He also kept many different breeds of hens Rhode Island reds, with Bantams being favourites. For years he and his sister sold much of the excess produce at the gate and he was most famous for his champagne rhubarb.
He was an expert at recycling before it became popular and wasted nothing. He loved garden birds and built bird boxes and feeders attracting many different species to his garden.
This hobby he continued at Heatherfield as the staff kindly put up feeders and a bird house outside the front window for John and all to enjoy.
He died as he lived his life with gentleness and peace and is sadly missed by his nephews Bob Kenny, Cork, and Brendan Kenny, Dublin, and their wives Maire and Lauren; nieces, Rosemary Maye, Slane, and Cathy Kenny, Dublin, and their husbands, Padraic and Karl; grandnephews Alex, Sam and Sean; grandnieces Sadbh and Orlaith; and extended family, as well as all at Heatherifeld.
The funeral took place from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ashbourne, to the adjoining cemetery.
Teresa Morgan, Navan and Dundalk
The death has occurred of Teresa Morgan (née Brennan) ‘Golden Heights’, Rockmarshall, Dundalk and late of the Stag’s Head public house, Linenhall Street, and Mellows Terrace, Navan. She was aged 79 and died peacefully at Carlingford Nursing Home.
A native of Navan, Teresa was one of a family of nine of John and Mary Brennan. Born in 1935, she spent her formative years with her family in Navan. While working in Marsh’s clothing factory she attended a dance organised by the Dundalk furniture makers in the Eimear Ballroom Dundalk. Here she met her husband Michael and they were married in 1958 in St Mary’s Church, Navan. They set up home in Barrack Street, Dundalk, where Teresa showed her budding business acumen by setting up a drapery shop there, before buying the Stag’s Head in Linenhall Street in 1969 from Michael’s uncle, Paddy McArdle. While rearing a young family she and Michael rebuilt the public house from the ground up and ran a successful business there until 1982 when they retired from the trade. During their time there they were supported by a large circle of loyal customers and friends from the area.
Teresa was a fabulous singer who frequently took part in sing-songs in the pub and in the annual Maytime Festival pub singing competitions. In the late 1970s, she moved her family to Rockmarshall were she resided for 37 years. Two doors from the Stag’s Head stood Harry Barry bookmakers were she indulged in her passion for horse racing, an interest honed from her family roots in Navan. She continued to place a bet on the horses every day of her life until her recent illness.
Teresa enjoyed life and was a remarkable wife and mother who alongside her husband in times of plenty and in times of none provided for her family though hard work and quiet determination. Her core and essence was the love of family. She delighted in the joy of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who she loved equally. Throughout her life she never forgot where she hailed from and was a regular visitor to her parents’ home and those of her brothers and sisters in Navan.
Teresa was a devoted wife to Michael and a loving mother to Michael, Ann, John, Declan and Linda, her 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who survive her as do her son-in-law Gary McAleer, daughter-in-law Deirdre Morgan, and in Navan by her brothers Johnny, Richard and Michael; sisters, Margaret, Imelda, Phyllis and Olive, and brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and extended family and friends. Teresa’s death has left a huge void for she was a constant loving presence in their lives.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Elizabeth; parents, John and Mary Brennan; brother, Patrick (Pa) Brennan; sister-in-law, Anne Brennan, all Navan; sister-in law, Marilyn Morgan, Canada; and brothers-in-law Neil Curran (Dromintee), Vincent Morgan (Dundalk) and Francis Morgan (Canada).
The funeral Mass at St Nicholas’ Church was celebrated by family friend, Fr Garret Campbell. Gifts that symbolised Teresa’s life were brought to the altar by her grandchildren Amy, Lauren, Emily, Nathan, Michael and great-grandchild Jack. The Readings were given by godson Ian Kearney and niece Fionnuala Dowling and the Prayers of Intercession were led by her grandchildren Mary Morgan, Christina King, Samantha King, Stephen King, Jessica Morgan and Jason McAleer. The Offertory Gifts were presented by her daughters Ann Morgan-King and Linda McAleer, while brother-in-law Seamus Kearney assisted as Eucharistic Minister. Son, Michael gave a fitting Communion Reflection while the whole ceremony was enhanced by the beautiful music provided by organist Olivia Finnegan and soloist Deirdre Morgan (daughter-in-law) who sang one of Teresa’s favourite Christmas hymns ‘O Holy Night’. After Mass Teresa was laid to rest in St Patrick’s Cemetery. A month’s memory Mass takes place in St Nicholas Church, Dundalk, at 12 noon on Sunday 16th February.
John Hubble, Oldcastle
Great sadness has been caused by the unexpected but peaceful death of John Hubble, Liss, Oldcastle at Cavan General Hospital surrounded by his family on 12th January last. He was due to celebrate his 64th birthday later that week, on Friday 17th January.
John, known in his native Wilkinstown area as Johnny Hubbles, was the eldest of 11 children born to Jack and Roseanne Hubble, Clynch, Wilkinstown. Leaving school at an early age to help support the family, he began a life-long love of the land and growing potatoes.
In 1978, he met Kathleen in the Granada in Kingscourt and 15 months later on Valentine’s Day they were married. They set up home in Kilberry where their three children Dermot, Sinéad and Declan were born. His willingness to help others lead him to be involved in the community. He was one of the founding members of the Wolfe Tones GAA Club, a member of the Wilkinstown Community Centre committee and he also played an active role in Oristown/Kilberry Parish.
In 1989, the family moved to the Hill of Down where John worked as a potato farmer. Six years later John set up home in Oldcastle, where he successfully ran his own hackney company, Castle Cabs. As the local taxi man, he became a popular figure in the area. He later went on to be a school bus driver for Bus Eireann in the Navan area.
His strong will was evident when he played tug of war and competed in sheaf tossing. In 1974 he won a County Intermediate medal with St John’s, Kilberry. After hanging up his football boots, John went to excel on the dance floor, with a flair for ballroom dancing, his talents saw him win many medals and trophies. The father of three was also a member of Fianna Fail from a young age and would often appear on doorsteps in the county canvassing for the party.
Life had been difficult for John in the last few years of his life but he continued to wear a smile for all those he met. John was never a man to sit still for too long, he would always find something to do or someone to help. He would always have a good word to say and he cared deeply for his family and was very proud of their achievements.
He had a wonderful relationship with his nieces and nephews and was always there to offer them advice and encouragement and will be remembered fondly for his willingness to help others. He can only be described as a ‘true gentleman’.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons, Dermot and Declan; daughter, Sinéad and daughter-in-law, Margaret, Oldcastle; brothers, George (Slane), Fran (Ardee), Brendan (Wilkinstown), Martin (Gibbstown) and Eamonn (Castletown-Kilberry); sisters, Annette Yorke (Kingscourt), Dympna Yorke (Kingscourt) and Angela Malone (Kingscourt); nieces and nephews.
The funeral took place in St Brigid’s Church, Oldcastle on Wednesday 15th January and was buried in the local cemetery.
A month’s memory Mass will take place on February 15th at 7pm in St Brigid’s Church, Oldcastle.
Patrick Curran, Navan
The death occurred on 1st February last of Paddy (Patrick) Curran, Proudstown, Navan, aged 93, peacefully at Our Lady’s Hospital Navan, surrounded by his family.
He spent all his life working on the family farm and was a great Meath football supporter and followed all the GAA matches.
He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Corrigan, Rochestown, Slane; nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces as well as his neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from St Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle, Navan to Kilberry Cemetery.
A month’s memory Mass will take place at St Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle, Navan on Saturday 1st March at 7pm.
Mai MacCormack, Bohermeen
The death took place on 27th January last of Mai MacCormack, Durhamstown, Bohermeen. Mai was born in Knockumber, Navan to Michael and Maggie Harte and educated at Saint Joseph’s Mercy Schools, Navan. She worked at the former Navan Carpets. Deceased married Eddie McCormack on 12th August 1959 in Saint Mary’s Church, Navan, where the ceremony was officiated by Fr Peter Farrelly, PE, Beauparc, his first wedding after his Ordination.
Mai and Eddie set up home in Bohermeen and raised three children, Gerard, P. and Margaret. Mai was deeply involved in nurturing and nourishing her family and never once counted the cost.
Mai was a woman of deep religious faith, constant hope and enduring charity and love. She was involved in many aspects of parish life through her engagement with the Apostolic Society, the Altar Society, Saint Joseph’s Young Priests Society and The Friendship Club. She also served as a Minister of Holy Communion and it was a real blessing and privilege for her to bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound. Mai was caring, compassionate, self sacrificing and selfless in everything. She has an infectious sense of humour and good fun and her jug was always half full. She loved the company of others and the very large attendance at her wake and her obsequies was a testament to the high esteem in which she was held in by all who knew her.
She adored her four grandchildren, Ross, Cormac, Katie Mai and Emily and has left a deep and lasting impression on their young lives. She will be forever remembered as she was generous to a fault and every day made new memories with them.
Her funeral Mass was concelebrated by her son, Fr Gerard, and a large number of visiting clergy. The Church of Ireland were represented by Rev William Steacy, Rector of Kingscourt and Ms Roberta Steacy and Canon John Clarke, Navan. The sacred music was provided by the combined parish choirs of Kingscourt with organists Derek Eakin and Gavin O’Reilly.
Mai was predeceased by her husband Eddie in 1992 and her brother Bertie in 2003 and is survived by her sons, Gerard and Peadar; daughter, Margaret; son-in-law Pat; grandchildren, Ross, Cormac, Katie Mai and Emily; nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
The funeral took place from St Ultan’s Church, Bohermeen, to the adjoining cemetery.
Kevin Thompson, Navan
There was widespread sadness following the death of Kevin Thompson, Emmet Terrace, Navan, in Woodlands Nursing Home, Navan, on 27th January last. He was known popularly as ‘K Tel’.
Following marriage to the late Ann Healy, the couple moved to England, where both worked in Clayton’s Shoe Factory. On their return to Ireland, Kevin started to work as a bulldozer driver, which he had a passion for. In the 1980s, he started his own contract cleaning business, and worked all over Ireland for client Dunnes Stores. Deceased provided a great deal of employment through his company.
He loved GAA, following the Meath team across the country. He was also a great Fianna Fail supporter and helped canvass all over Meath for the party.
Deceased was a friendly, outgoing man, and loved a good sing song, with one of his favourites ‘My Way’.
A hard working man all his life, he coped admirably following the passing of his wife, Ann, in 1997, and then suffered further loss in 2011 when his daughter, Marie, died.
Kevin is survived by his son, Peter; daughters, Dee and Joanie; sons-in-law; daughter-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchild; relatives and friends. A month’s memory Mass takes place on 22nd February at 6pm in St Mary’s Church.
Myles O’Reilly, Drumconrath
The death occurred on 19th January last of Myles O’Reilly, Saint Johnsfort, Drumconrath, where he was born in 1932. Having lost his father Kevin early in life, Myles was raised by his mother Peig, and spent a lot of his childhood summers in the company of his cousins, the Ginnitys and the McDonnells. He attended the Christian Brothers School, Ardee and the Marist Brothers School, Dundalk, before returning home to farm. Myles was active on the farm until very recently and was known to be an excellent stockman and tillage grower. A very sociable man, he was a great storyteller and loved some lively banter and a few pints in the local pub. He was an avid GAA fan, enjoying playing success in 1946 with his beloved Syddan and remained loyal to Meath football throughout his life.
Myles lost his wife, Ann, to motor neuron disease in 1995. Afterwards, he lived very independently and continued to be actively involved in the local community. Despite the onset of alzheimers, Myles was able to finish his life in his own home, assisted by family and carers. He is survived by his family, Kevin, Conor and Maeve; grandchildren, Ben and Isabelle; and daughter-in-law, Amanda.
The funeral took place from the Church of the Holy Cross, Lobinstown to Ballapousta Cemetery. A month’s memory Mass will be held at the Church of the Holy Cross, Lobinstown, at 10.30 am on Sunday 23rd February.
Sarah Brady, Cortown
There was widespread regret following the death in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, on 29th January last, of Sarah Brady, Cortown, Kells, aged 87. Deceased (nee Brown) was a native of Cortown and was predeceased by her husband, Tom Brady, in July 2002.
She lived life to the full, and worked most of her life to support her family of four girls and eight boys. She loved company and her door was always open to everyone, young and old, neighbours and friends. She was always surrounded by family and friends.
Sarah was very involved in Cortown GAA, and loved going to games. She enjoyed spending the weekends selling Cortown Lotto tickets, meeting and chatting to people. Sarah loved horse racing and followed the fortunes of local jockeys. She will be sadly missed by all.
She is survived by her daughters, Christina O’Brien, England, Margareta Dever, Kells, Hilary Lynch, Ballivor, Judy Brady, Kilmainham, Kells; sons, Eddie, England, Martin, Navan, Derek, Kells, Adrian, Kells, Joe, Kells, Seamus, England, Johnny, Cortown, Christopher McGrath, Cortown; extended family; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Christ the King, Cortown, to Cortown Cemetery.