Obituaries 15-09-2012

Elizabeth Farrelly, Athboy There was considerable regret in Athboy and surrounding areas following the death on 21st August last of Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) Farrelly, Connaught Street, Athboy, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, in her 95th year. Mrs Farrelly ran a well-known shop on Connaught Street in the town for twenty years, from 1959 to 1979, and died after a short illness. Deceased was daughter of the late Patrick and Julia Martin of Knock, Killua, Clonmellon, the only daughter in a family of eight. The Martins had a sawmill at Killua and worked in timber and on the land, moving to Kells during the war years due to a shortage of diesel. Here, they were based at the old cinema site before moving to Bective Street, where they operated into the 1990s. Deceased's father died just before she married and she continued to be present for her mother and brothers. In 1951, she married Hugh Farrelly, who worked in McCann and Byrne, Athboy, and they had two daughters, Joy and Kay. In 1959, Mrs Farrelly opened a shop on Connaught Street, working from dawn until dusk in the early years, as well as managing the mineral bar of the old Caroline Ballroom which was closeby. In latter years, when the ballroom changed hands, she often made tea and sandwiches in her kitchen for the bands. Decesased ran the shop at the time of 'the slate', the account book where people paid monthly, or when they had money after selling cattle. But it was also similar to today's credit unions, where money was borrowed for new furniture or a washing machine, and paid off accordingly. And all accounts were paid fully when she closed the doors in 1979. She had many friends with whom she loved to play cards, and she also played tennis and camogie in her youth, winning a club medal with Rosmeen in 1934. She loved her style, and was lucky to have two aunts in America who sent her back the latest fashions from the States. Mrs Farrelly touched the lives of people with mental health problems, with great kindness. She lovingly took care of her grandchildren and was very proud of their achievements. Mrs Farrelly is survived by her daughters, Joy, Dublin; and Kay Ledwith, Baskinagh, Athboy; brother, Ned Martin, Canon Street, Kells; son-in-law, Frank Ledwith; grandchildren, Susanne, Andrew and Sarah; grandson-in-law, Thomas Reilly; nieces, Betty, Phyllis and Sheila; relatives, neighbours and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Hugh Farrelly in 1973, and by her brothers, Jim, Sheffield; Frank, Killua, Pat, Killua, John, Kells, Brendan, Killua, and Kit, Sheffield. The funeral took place from St James Church to St Jame's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Margaret Toale, Athboy The death occurred on 30th August last of Margaret Toale, Castle Lawns, Athboy, aged 59, at St Elizabeth's Nursing Home, Athboy. Deceased was born in Dundalk in September 1952, the third child of the late Owen and Sheila Toale. She attended St Louis Secondary School, Dundalk and was recently involved with the committee that organised the 40th anniversary of her class. She was one of the first to study microbiology in Dundalk Regional Technical College. Ms Toale worked in a technical capacity with An Foras Forbharta, Glaxo Foods in Cootehill, and Robert Wilson's in Waterford before she took up a position initially with the National Manpower Service in Cavan before managing the office in Navan. When the NMS amalgamated with AnCO to form FÁS she managed the placement services section in Navan until 1992 when she set up the FAS office in London to look after young Irish immigrants and liaise with Irish organisations in the UK. When she returned to Ireland in 1998, deceased went back to work for FÁS in Navan and was involved in promoting the integration of the services of FÁS, the Department of Social Welfare and the VEC. In 2000 she was asked to set up the FAS call centre in Edenderry where she successfully developed the team and programme until her retirement in 2011. She was a strong 'peoples' person and in her work loved dealing with the public and other service users both in Ireland and the UK. Her work involved some travel and her involvement in community organisations allowed her to strike up friendships in many parts of Ireland and abroad. Her ability to make friends was evident when she met up with many of the friends she had met first through her favourite pastime of online gaming. She had planned an active retirement of gardening, cooking, travelling and getting more involved in the local community. She loved to travel, and particularly loved Mexico and Australia where she could enjoy snorkelling. She and her husband Joe shared a love of good food and wine. She was a great hostess and the organisation she put into her work was reflected in the major celebrations she planned for her husband, children and friends. Margaret Toale lived her life in a focussed way. She thought for herself and made up her own mind on important issues. When she was diagnosed with cancer, and the initial treatment didn't work, she faced up to the consequences on her own terms preferring to live her final months at home among her family and friends. She was a musician, playing the guitar, tin-whistle and piano, always proud to be able to pass on her musical ability to her children and delighted when they partook and succeeded in winning at musical events. Deceased will be sadly missed by her ex-colleagues, friends and school friends, her neighbours and all the community groups in Athboy. She will also be sadly missed by her friends' and neighbours' children who all respected her advice and interest. To many people life is all the richer for knowing her. Ms Toale is survived by her husband, Joe Mooney; family, Owen and Aoife all Athboy; brother, Phillip Toale, Blackpool, and sister-in-law, Mary Toale, nephew and nieces Conor, Nessa and Niamh Toale, all Dundalk; mother-in-law Rosaleen Mooney, Glenageary; and husband's siblings Francis, Charles, Jean, Louise, and Carmel. A civil ceremony performed by Madeleine Doherty at Mullens' Funeral Home, Athboy, was followed by cremation in Newlands Cross Crematorium on Monday 3rd September. ____________________________________________________________ Pauline Byrne, Summerhill The unexpected passing of Ms Pauline Byrne, Navan, and formerly of Trim and Agher, Summerhill, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, on 19th June last, caused widespread shock and sadness. She was the type of person that if you met her once you had one memory and the more you met her the more memories she created. She was a generous and colourful character, who loved a game of cards and would bet on anything that ran. She made you laugh, curse or cringe and had a sense of humour to beat the band, that led her to get a rise out of you at every opportunity. Her name has been mentioned in many locations over the years for all sorts of reasons and being a relation of hers could keep any conversation lively for many a tipple. In every lifetime a few people generate comment, debate and humour and Pauline Byrne was definitely one of those. Having spent 36 years behind the counter at Fagan's Pub, Moynalvey, she played a part in creating a landmark which is now spoken of with a sense of nostalgia. The pub was a favourite of Frank Hall and his 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly' team. Pauline will be sadly missed by many but her stories will continue to live on in memory of her. Daughter of the late Michael and Margaret and sister of Frances, Eva, Mary and Paddy, deceased is survived by her family, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Coole to the adjoining cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Frank Morgan, Trim and Leicester There was widespread sadness following the death of Mr Frank Morgan at his workplace in London, aged 64. Born on 8th May 1948, deceased was the son of the late Robert and Mary Morgan, Kilmurray, Trim. He went to school in Carnisle, Kildalkey, and Trim and he played minor hurling for Boardsmill. Mr Morgan left for England in 1966, and settled in Leicester, where he raised his family. He worked in construction. Mr Morgan was always very proud of the Meath football team and of his Irish background. Deceased is survived by his wife, Kath; daughters, Mary-Ann and Sonya; twin brother, Tony, Leicester, brothers Jimmy, Donegal, Robert, Australia; sisters Jean, Kilmurray, Trim, Ann and Rita, Leicester, Mary, Dublin; nieces and nephews and a wide circle of friends on both sides of the Irish Sea. The funeral Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Nally PP, took place in the Sacred Heart Church, Leicester and deceased was laid to rest at Wigston Cemetery, Leicester. ____________________________________________________________ Barbara Smith, Athboy The passing of Mrs Barbara Smith, Beechgrove, Athboy, at the age of 57, was the source of considerable sadness. She died on 18th August last at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Deceased was daughter of John and the late Annie Conroy, Lambay, Rath Chairn, and is survived by her husband, Alex; sons, Sean, Alex and Ruairi; daughters, Christina and Cynthia; grandchildren, Makalagh, Ruairi, Oisin, Alex, Conor and Darach, all Athboy; father, John; sisters, Mary, Athboy, Ann, Nottingham, Brege, Galway, Cathlin, Trim, and Monica, Navan; brothers, Pat, Lambay, John, Lambay and Colm, Nottingham. The funeral took place from St James' Church, Athboy to St James' Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Martin O'Connor, Navan The regretted death occurred on 19th August last of Mr Martin O'Connor, Bridge Street, Navan, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Aged 51, he was son of the late Joe and Peg O'Connor, and was known by the nickname 'Buller'. Deceased worked in furniture manufacturing all his life and was an excellent pool player. He is survived by his brothers, Barry, who is his twin, Joseph, Fergus and Kevin; sisters, Deirdre Coyle, Finola Dungan and Brenda Byrne; sisters-in-law, Pat, Ann; brothers-in-law, Louis and Cormac; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. A month's mind will take place in St Oliver's Church, Blackcastle, Navan, on Sunday 23rd September at 12 noon. ____________________________________________________________ Imelda Murphy, Beauparc Mrs Imelda Murphy, Dollardstown, Beauparc, Navan, who has died, was a member of the Byrne family, Beauparc. She passed away peacefully at her residence on 26th August last. She is survived by her brothers, Noel, Aidan, Raymond and Declan; sisters, Marie Magee, Vera McGoona, and Colette Byrne; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Yellow Furze, Beauparc, to St Mary's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Gertrude Lane, Navan The death of Mrs Gertrude (Gertie) Lane, of St Mary's Park, Navan, was the source of widespread sadness. She passed away at home on 10th August last, aged 79. Mrs Lane (nee McGrane) was wife of the late Jimmy Lane, who was one of the founders of Simonstown GFC, and she was a unswerving supporter of Simonstown and Meath GAA over the years. A native of Liscarton, Navan, deceased worked as a weaver in Navan Carpets, before meeting her husband, who was a native of Trim and a baker in Spicer's. A loving mother and grandmother, she loved the simple things in life, gardening and baking, especially at Christmas time, when she delighted in making Christmas cakes for family. A deeply religious person, she never missed Mass and always had her rosary beads close at hand. She travelled to Lourdes and Knock and was a subscriber to St Martin magazine. A lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, Mrs Lane was awarded the silver and gold pins. In her full health, she was a great supporter of Simonstown GFC where she attended bingo on Thursday nights. Her late husband, along with Joe Clarke and Jack 'Duck' Callaghan, was a founder members of the club in 1965. Jimmy Lane had been a keen hurler with Trim, winning underage championship medals, along with two senior hurling and a junior All Ireland with Meath in 1948. Their sons, Jim, Paul, David and Sean all represented Simonstown at various levels over the years, and Jim is the present club chairman. In earlier years, Mrs Lane was a regular visitor to Croke Park to see Meath play, and she also had a soft spot for Manchester United. Living in St Mary's Park for over 50 years, her neighbours and friends were joined at her final farewell by members of Simonstown GFC, who provided a guard of honour at her removal and funeral. Predeceased by her husband in July 1980, Mrs Lane is survived by her daughters, Mary Slevin, Navan, Ann Morgan, Naul, Co Dublin, Carol Coogan, Navan, Catherine Maguire, Lobinstown; sons, Jim, Paul, David and Sean, all Navan; sisters, Nancy, Olive and Lilly, Navan, and Eileen, Stackallen; brother, Philip McGrane, Navan; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends. She was predeceased by daughter, Bernie Plunkett, Batterstown. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church to St Mary's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Felix Teelin, Kells There was shock and sadness when the news spread of the sudden death of Mr Felix Teelin, Circular Road, Kells, on 20th August last. A native of Drogheda, the family moved to Kells in the 1950s. Mr Teelin was involved in the wool and scrap metal business all his life. A wonderful neighbour, and a regular churchgoer, his devotion to Padre Pio, Our Lady and St Joseph was part of his life. He was predeceased by his wife, Brigid in 1991, and son Michael, in 1971, and is survived by his sons, John, Blackpool, England, Felix, Carnaross, Jimmy and Joseph, Kells, and Charles, New York; daughters, Margaret, London, Cathleen, Navan, Maura, Enniskillen and Anna, London; brothers, James, and Johnny, Crossmaglen; grandchildren and great grandchildren. The funeral took place from St Colmcille's Church, Kells, to Calvary Cemetery.