Obituaries 7th June 2014

Derry O’Brien, Dunderry

Widespread sadness was felt throughout Meath and especially in Dunderry following the passing of Derry O’Brien, Meadstown, aged 65, in St James’ Hospital, Dublin, on 11th December last. A native of Navan, Derry moved to Dunderry in 1972 following his marriage to Mary Newman, and settled there. He was predeceased by his father, Billy and his very special daughter, Denise, age 21 in 2008. Along with his wife Mary, daughter Eunice and son Ian, he dedicated his life to caring for her with devotion and without any fuss or complaint, giving round the clock care and attention to her. The family chain was broken as was Derry’s heart forever when she passed away. However, there is some consolation for his family in knowing they are together again.

Derry bore his long illness with great courage, humour and dignity, never complaining and actually tricked most people into thinking he was well, when in actual fact he was far from being well. 'I’m grand,' he told everyone, but Mary knew that sadly that was not the case. Having being diagnosed in 2004 with a plastic anemia, a quite rare blood disorder where the body breaks down and fails to produce new bone marrow.

This proved difficult to treat but he was cared for by Prof S McCann, Dr Catherine and their large team both in Burkitt Unit and the Haematology Units in St James’ Hospital, Dublin. While in their care, Derry became part of this big family and being a larger than life person with great wit, charm and good humour used his many hospital stays and subsequently twice weekly visits for treatment and transfusions in the Day Ward with a party atmosphere, having the craic with the nurses, patients and staff and actually became good friends with them and patients from around the country. Being an eternal optimist, he was hoping to get on a trial drug programme or treatment plan but sadly it was not to be.

In his youth, Derry played Gaelic football with Simonstown Gaels, hurling with Navan O’Mahonys and soccer with Robinstown and Dunderry. After retiring from playing, Derry became a referee and then one of the founder members of Meath Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees Society in 1986 and continued as an accomplished referee at many levels having a zero tolerance policy which he certainly practised until he retired 25 years later. He loved what he did and loved life and that included his work in Eircom from which he took early retirement following his daughter’s death.

Derry loved and lived for his family and was a devoted husband, father, son and besotted grandfather. He enjoyed great times with his grandchildren and loved taking them to Ardsallagh at every available opportunity and visited his mother every night.

Derry’s life touched so many people and he made an everlasting impression on all those lucky enough to have known him especially through the family’s association with SOFT Ireland, a registered charity and support organisation for families of children born with Edwards and Pataus Syndrome.

He worked hard to help at the many fundraising coffee days, head shaves and cycles for the association and was an active Social Welfare officer for them for years. He was generous with his time and kindness and he had a wonderful warm personality. Derry welcomed everyone who called to his home and made them feel at home and comfortable.

His death has left a huge void in his family and in the lives of his friends and those lucky enough to have known him.

Derry lived a full and rewarding good life, always showing generosity and a willingness to help neighbours and friends and gave good advice whenever he could.

Crowds came to his home to say farewell and again large crowds attended his funeral Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Noel Horneck, with sacred music provided by Edel and Ann McKay. On his final journey, friends carried his coffin and his work mates in Eircom, colleagues from Referees Association and Dunderry Fair Day provided guards of honour.

Derry is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Eunice; son, Ian; son-in-law, Mark; daughter-in-law, Jackie; mother, Rita: brothers, Leo, Colm and John; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins aunts, uncles; grandchildren, Jack, Conor, Evan, Isabel and Alice, friends and neighbours.

The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Dunderry, to Dunderry Cemetery.

Elizabeth Clarke, Bective

The death occurred peacefully on 11th May last of Elizabeth (Betty) Clarke (nee Doyle), Trim Road, Bective, Navan, in her 94th year, at Millbury Nursing Home, Navan, surrounded by the ones she loved.

Betty lived for her family and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mother-in-law and sister. She loved gardening and her garden was always a scene of blooms. She had a love for baking and made many wedding cakes for couples. With a love for music, she was always first to dance. She loved spending time with all her family, was a great friend, and had a warm personality with a welcome for everyone.

Betty’s life touched so many, and made a lasting impression on all those who knew her. She became affectionately known as Nanny Clarke. Her death leaves a huge void in her entire family.

Predeceased by her husband, Thomas, in 1982; son, Thomas; daughter-in-law, Bernie; and grandson, Justin, she is survived by her daughter, Olive; sons, Eric and Vincent; son-in-law, Jackie; daughters-in-law, Carmel and Kathleen; sisters, Ann and Kathleen; brother-in-law, Liam; sisters-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; extended family members, nieces, nephews, neighbours and wonderful friends.

The funeral took place in Robinstown Church on 13th May, with burial afterwards in Dunderry Cemetery.

Theresa Hurley, Cork

Theresa Hurley, Drogone, Glengarriff, Co Cork, who died on 6th May last, was a member of the Kearney family of Castletownmoore, Carlanstown, Kells, daughter of Kathleen and the late Lukie Kearney.

She passed away peacefully, aged 54, at Bantry General Hospital. She is survived by her husband, Gerard; daughters, Kathleen, Brid, Therese and Mary Hilda, all Glengarriff; grandchild, Fiadh; mother, Kathleen; brothers Luke and James; sisters Hilda and Mary; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends.

The funeral took place from Sacred Heart Church, Glengarriff to the local cemetery.