Obituaries 28th June 2014

Bridie McEntee, Nobber

Mrs Bridie McEntee (nee McGuinness), who died recently at the age of 96, was born in Nobber to Joseph and Catherine McGuinness on 8th January 1918 while World War I still raged, and was raised during very troubled times for the Irish Free State.

She attended the local national school in Nobber and was a boarder in the Convent of Mercy, Navan, where she made many lifelong friendships. On completion of her formal education, she returned to start in her career in Oifig an Phoist.

She married Jack McEntee on 8th September 1948 and continued her career in the post office and the couple continued living in Nobber.

Bridie had a great interest in GAA and was proud her late brother, Larry McGuinness, being part of the 1949 county team and their wonderful footballing exploits in that era. She was also proud of her husband’s and Nobber’s success in winning a championship in this period, and little did she think that she would have to wait until 1980 until Nobber won a championship again.

She was very proud of her sons, Patrick and John; her nephews, Gerry, the late Shane and Larry who were all part of that team. She took great pride in following Gerry’s football career and was thrilled when he won his first All-Ireland medal in 1987. She was happy that both her late brother, Larry McGuinness, and her nephew, Gerry McEntee, possessed All-Ireland medals.

Deceased worked tirelessly in the local post office and running her shop, helping so many people with dignified acts of kindness which were only recently revealed by people attending her funeral.

Bridie and Jack had five children: Renee Clarke, Teltown House Donaghpatrick; John McEntee, Castleknock, Dublin; Patrick McEntee, Foxrock, Dublin, and Dolores McMahon, Farganstown, Navan. She was predeceased by her infant daughter, Ita.

Bridie and Jack united two great Nobber families - the McGuinnesses and McEntees. Bridie was the eldest of her family, which also included her sister, Josie Clarke-McDermott; John Joe, and her recently deceased brother, Gerard McGuinness, Grangegeeth; the late Larry McGuinness, Nobber and Trim, and the late Benny McGuinness, Navan.

Jack was the eldest of the McEntee family which included the late Dr Lal McEntee, Trim and Summerhill; the late Tony McEntee, Mitchelstown, Castletown KP and Nobber, and Vincent and Mona McEntee. Bridie’s husband, Jack, died on 5th August 1973.

Bridie was devoted to her family and to Nobber, and she was actively involved in every aspect of life in the area including supporting the GAA (mainly by praying extra hard during crucial matches involving Nobber and Meath). Often during critical moments, she could be called upon to pray harder if things weren’t going too well on the field.

She loved the history of Nobber and recounted this to many interested groups down the years.

Bridie lived a great life and enjoyed many social occasions, especially involving her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She recently attended the Christenings of her latest great grandchildren when she enjoyed a nice glass of red wine.

She had temporarily moved to her second home, Knightsbridge Nursing Home, Trim, where she really enjoyed the love and care of all the staff there. She made a recent visit to the Fair of Nobber, where she was treated like a queen and so many people got a chance to have a chat with her.

Bridie died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Monday 16th June, and was brought home to Nobber the following day. She was interred beside her husband, Jack, on 18th June, following a funeral Mass in which PP, Fr Seamus Houlihan, caught the spirituality and devotion Bridie had to her faith, her family and to Nobber.

Rose Coleman, Slane

The regretted death occurred on 26th May last of Rose Coleman, Abbey View, Slane, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. A native of Pound Road, Slane, she was daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Wogan, and was married to Patrick Coleman.

Rose started her working life in the mill in Slane, where she worked for six years. She also worked for the Macken family in the Conyngham Arms Hotel for 15 years. Rose was a well-known face around the village of Slane where she lived all her life. She will be sadly missed by her family, friends and neighbours in Abbey View.

She is saurvived by her husband, Patrick; sons, Ronan, Ian and Gareth Coleman; daughters, Elizabeth, Carol and Elaine; daughter-in-law, Shirley; 10 grandchildren, and her great grandchild.

The funeral took place from Slane Church to Glasnevin crematorium.

 

Breda O’Dowd, Duleek

The regretted sudden death occurred on 25th May last of Breda O’Dowd (nee Wall), High Meadows, Duleek, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Aged 52, she a native of Ballyfermot, Dublin.

Deceased is survived by her husband, Ken; daughters, Aimee and Katie; sisters, Marie, England, Antoinette, Dublin, Seprina, Dublin; brothers, James, Dublin, Pat, Dublin; extended family, relatives and friends. The funeral Mass took place in Duleek Church on Thursday 29th May, and burial took place in Palmerstown Cemetery.  

Mona Phyllis Meighan, Navan

Mrs Mona Phyllis Meighan, Abbeylands, Navan, who died on 18th May last, was known by all as a kind, caring and good-humoured woman.

Formerly Mona Phyllis Myles from Ardee, she passed away at her daughter Aishling Ronan’s home at Athlumney Wood, Navan, aged 73. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in January 2006. Mrs Meighan was a person who loved her family and grandchildren. She liked listening to music and was a keen dancer in her younger years. All who knew her know how much she loved her little dog, ‘Tootsie’.

Deceased is survived by her sons, Ken Meighan, Clogherboy, Navan; Niall Meighan, Carnaross, and Gordon Meighan, Clogherboy; daughters, Helen Meighan, Reask Crescent, Navan; Phyllis Farrelly, Garlow Cross, Navan; Sandra Reilly, Dunderry, and Aishling Ronan, Athlumney Wood, Navan; sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The funeral Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Navan, on 20th May last and interment followed in St Mary’s Cemetery, Navan.

 

Michael Mooney, Virginia

 

Widespread sadness followed the death on 29th May last of Michael Mooney, Ryefield, Virginia, Co Cavan, at St Joseph’s Nursing Home, Virginia, aged 62.

Deceased worked in Carnaross Sand and Gravel for many years. He loved country music and dancing, and had many friends near and far who will sadly miss him, as will his family.

He is survived by his brothers, Joe, Mullaghmore, Virginia; John, Mullagh; sisters, Nuala O’Donnell, Shannon and Rita Madden, Clare; brother-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews, relatives and friends.

The funeral took place in Munterconnaught on 31st May, with music by Eddie Owens.

Tom Griffin, Navan

The regretted death occurred of Tomas (Tom) Griffin, on 1st June last, following injuries he sustained in an accident at his home on 25th May.

He was aged 61 and died peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

Tom was a native of Dingle, Co Kerry, he lived in Navan for over 25 years and his family and friends are deeply saddened by his sudden death.

He is survived by his family, Niamh, Aoife, Ronan and Rory; their mother Olive (all Navan); his brothers, Padraig and Joe, both Dingle, and James, USA. He is survived by his partner, Margaret Halpin, and her family, all Navan.

The funeral took place at St Mary’s Church, Navan, followed by cremation in Glasnevin crematorium.

Brendan O’Brien, Navan

There was widespread sadness following the death of Brendan O’Brien, Balreask, Trim Road, Navan, at the age of 86. He passed away on 27th May at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan.

A native of Old Johnstown, he worked on television repairs with Eric Locke and Company, Navan, and also with Spicer’s Bakery. He was a founder member of Navan Pitch and Putt Club and a greenkeeper, and designed Castletown Pitch and Putt Course amongst many others. He loved gardening and won the Tidy Gardens Competition several times.

Deceased is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sisters, May, Patsy and Nan; brother-in-law, Michael; sister-in-law, Teeny, nephews and nieces.

The funeral took place from St Mary’s Church, Navan, to St Mary’s Cemetery.