Obituaries 17-12-11

St Colmcille's Church in Kells was overflowing on Saturday last for the Funeral Mass of Mr George Smith, the retired circulation manager of the Meath Chronicle and a past captain of Headfort Golf Club, who died last week following a long illness. Aged 72, Mr Smith, of Rathmore Lodge, Barfordstown, Balrath Road, Kells, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning last, 8th December, at Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown. He was a native of Clover Hill, Balrath, Kells. He was well-known across the county in his role as circulation and distribution manager with the Meath Chronicle, a company he first joined in 1954 as an apprentice compositor. Mr Smith dealt with all the shops, newsagents and delivery men across Meath and further afield, and his outgoing and humorous personality made him very popular with everybody he dealt with. His apprenticeship as a compositor lasted seven years, and he later trained many other Meath Chronicle compositors. For many years, deceased and the late Jim McCormack were the backbone of the Chronicle production department, before he went on to become advertising manager and circulation manager, retiring in 2004. Mr Smith had a love of outdoor pursuits such as fishing, shooting, and most notably, golf, and was due to be named a vice president of Headfort Golf Club prior to his passing, and ultimately president. He was captain in 1994 when the clubhouse development took place. Members of Headfort provided a guard of honour at the funeral on Saturday. He was also dedicated to his wife, Kathleen, family, and grandchildren, and at his funeral Mass, Fr Mark English, CC, Dunboyne, said that George Smith was a straight honest to God man, kind and considerate to all. Fr English said that neighbours and friends meant the world to him and he loved to chat. "He took a huge interest in everyone, even in his final days in Connolly Hospital he still chatted away," Fr English continues. "I don't know how he was able to stay quiet on the golf course. He won many trophies, partnered winning teams and even had a cert to prove he got a hole in one!" Fr English said that in 1994, Mr Smith had the special honour to have been Headfort club captain and see the opening of the then new club house and to represent Kells in the wider golfing community. "It's poignant how the other Mrs Smith in his life that year, Joan Smith, the 1994 lady captain should have predeceased him earlier this year." Fr English spoke of Mr Smith's faith in God and his passing on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Deceased is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons, Fergal, Matthew and Derry; brother, Larry, Kells; sisters, Claris Reilly, Cavan and Josie Reddy, Kells; daughters-in-law, Hilary and Fiona; grandchildren, Ruari, Kate and Cormac, relatives and friends. His remains were moved to St Colmcille's Church from his home for the funeral Mass on Saturday morning, and he was laid to rest afterwards at St Colmcille's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Doreen Kelly, Navan There was great sadness in Navan and beyond following the unexpected death of Mrs Doreen Kelly, Slane Road, Navan at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Dublin on 22nd November last, following a short illness. Aged 80, she was a member of the Kavanagh family, Dundalk, Co Louth, where she worked as a bookkeeper before marrying her late husband Christy, a member of An Garda Síochána. They were stationed in several areas of the country before settling in Navan 45 years ago. Deceased was a keen bingo player and a daily Mass-goer who enjoyed her coffee in the community centre with her friends after Mass. She had a great interest in Gaelic games, both hurling and football, and was often to be seen at Navan O'Mahony's games, especially when her grandchildren were playing. Mrs Kelly will be sadly missed by her loving family and wide circle of friends. Predeceased by her husband Christy, parents Molly and Tom and sister Terry, she is survived by her daughters, Fiona and Ciara; sons-in-law, Ollie and Padraic; sisters Frances Williams and Marie Murphy, both Dundalk; grandchildren Kelly, Jamie, Shane, Amy and Colin; brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, neighbours and friends. The Funeral Mass took place from St Mary's Church, Navan with burial in St Mary's Cemetery. A months memory Mass will take place on Sunday 18th December in St Oliver's Church, Navan at 12 noon. ____________________________________________________________ Ann Lawson, Kinnegad Mrs Ann Lawson (nee Prenter) passed away at Sancta Maria Nursing Home, Parke, Kinnegad, on 27th November last. Aged 78, she previously lived at Gillstown, Athboy. She is survived by her husband, Brian; sons, Johnny, Tim and Robbie; daughter, Mandy Finnegan; sister, Patricia; grandchildren, Fiachra, Caoimhe, Jamie, Sean, Jack, Vitali, Denis, Amy, Conor, and Alex. Mrs Lawson reposed at her daughter's residence, Colehill, Kinnegad, prior to removal to Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold's Cross, for a Funeral Service. ____________________________________________________________ Margaret Venney, Trim The death of Mrs Margaret (Peggy) Venney, Pinebrook, Trim, was the source of widespread sadness. A native of Loughinisland, Co Down, she passed away at home, aged 71, on 17th November last. A member of County Meath Golf Club, Trim, she had served as lady captain there in 2002. Deceased carried out a lot of fund raising for breast cancer from 1999 up until her illness this year. She was deeply devoted to her family and grandchildren. Mrs Venney is survived by her husband, Malachy; daughters, Carolyn Healy and Marcella Gibney, both Trim; son, Stephen, Dubai; sons-in-law; daughter-in-law; grandchildren; sisters; relatives and a wide circle of friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Mary Kate Vahey, Martry Mrs Mary Kate Vahey, Martry, Kells, who died on 25th November last, was aged 98 years, and passed away at her daughter's home at Martry. A member of the Lynskey family of Midfield and Killasser, Swinford, Co Mayo, she was predeceased in 2006 by her husband, Joseph. A woman of great faith who dedicated her life to the care of her family, she had a keen interest in reading, gardening and loved to travel. She will be remembered always with love and fondness by her family and friends.Mrs Vahey, in addition to her husband, was predeceased also by her sons Michael in 1974, Patrick in 1994, Joe in 2007 and Noel (Martin) this year. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ball and Kathleen Mulvany; sons, Jim and John; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; sisters-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; great great grandson, niece; relatives; neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from Cortown Church to Martry Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Ann Bennett, Dunsany The death of Mrs Ann Bennett, Old Road, Dunsany, on 29th November last, was the source of widespread sadness in the Dunsany district and in her native Staholmog, Carlanstown. Aged 67, Mrs Bennett passed away at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, after an almost three-year battle with illness, during which she maintained her typical good humour and positive outlook. A member of the Kearney family of Carlanstown, Kells, she married Jasper Bennett of Clowanstown, Tara, in August 1962, and later settled on the Old Road where they brought up their family. Over the years Mrs Bennett enjoyed playing bingo in Kilmessan and Skryne regularly, as well as Summerhill and Navan on occasion, along with neighbour and constant friend, Mary Dungan. When parish hall and church renovations were instigated in the early 1990s by Fr Andy Doyle, these two women travelled many roads of Meath, visiting houses on ticket selling missions, and were to be found helping out in many community activities. This July, Ann Bennett was involved in fundraising for the oncology unit of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, which saw a local group participate in the Ring of Kerry Cycle, with sponsorship raising €2,500 for cancer research and education. She presented this money to the hospital in September. An avid Meath GAA supporter, she attended Croke Park and Meath games as often as she could, and was at the Leinster Final of 2010 which saw Meath win the provincial title. She was also a lover of music and concerts, and travelled to see Mike Denver. She is survived by her husband, Jasper; sons, Paddy, Robinstown; Sean, Philpotstown, Garlow Cross; Mattie, Killeen; Dermot, Old Road; and daughter, Sharon, Old Road; brothers, John and Matthew, Carlanstown; sister, Mary, Kells; 11 grandchildren, including Mia who arrived on 28th October; in-laws; nephews; nieces; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Dunsany, to the adjoining cemetery, celebrated by Fr Terence Toner, PP, assisted by Fr Thomas O'Mahony, PP, Skryne; Fr Andy Doyle, PP, Bohermeen, and Fr Matty O'Reilly, Dalgan Park. A month's memory Mass takes place on Saturday 31st December, at 6pm, in Dunsany Church. ____________________________________________________________ Frank Carroll, Kildalkey Mr Frank Carroll, Kildalkey, who died on Tuesday of last week, had a successful career as a jockey that included Scottish Grand National and Cheltenham winners. He was aged 82 and passed away at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. A native of Dublin, he came to Kildalkey in 1948 to work with Ginger Wellesley, a trainer in Clonbarn, Kildalkey. In 1951, he won the Scottish Grand National on Court Painter. He had a number of outings in the Aintree Grand National between 1952 and 1966, and the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Cheltenham was a successful course for him and he had two winners of the Grand Annual Challenge Cup, one in 1960 with Monsieur Trois Etoiles and again in 1974 on Khan for Lord and Lady Petersham. Deceased retired in 1974 and stayed involved with racing through the Clem Magnier stable in Athboy. Afterwards he worked with Tara Mines for 15 years until his retirement. The family is still involved in racing. His son, Raymond (himself a successful jockey, now retired) has two sons Gary and Tim who are both jockeys. Gary rides over the Flat, and was Champion Apprentice in 2009 and joint Champion Apprentice again in 2010. Tim works with Noel Meade and is a National Hunt jockey. Another son, David, is a horse trainer in Kentucky, who had a successful run with Denis of Cork which finished third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont Stakes in 2008. Mr Carroll is survived by his wife, Caroline (Carrie); family, Raymond, Frank, David, Margaret and Claire; sisters, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place on Thursday last from St Dympna's Church, Kildalkey to St Corban's Cemetery, Naas. A month's memory Mass takes place in Kildalkey Church on Saturday 7th January, at 6pm. _____________________________________________________________ Tom Dempsey, Trim The death occurred on Saturday morning last of Mr Tom Dempsey, who served on Trim Town Council for almost 40 years, and was chairman of the local authority for over 10 terms. Mr Dempsey, of Navangate, Trim, also served as a county councillor for a period, and was involved in numerous community activities and organisations in Trim over his lifetime. Aged 85, the veteran Fianna Fail politician passed away peacefully at St Elizabeth's Nursing Home, Athboy. Born in the heart of the town, his parents Monica (nee Dowd) and Maurice Dempsey ran the original Castle Restaurant on Castle Street, his mother's family business. His father was a tailor there. Deceased later expanded the restaurant to include a function room. He was well known across the country as a sales representative with J&E Smith, the mineral manufacturers based in Trim. Later, he became caretaker of St Mary's Primary School in the town and was a popular figure among school-goers. When Tom Dempsey stepped down from Trim Urban Council in 1999, he had served for 39 years, consistently poll-topping and increasing his vote, such was his popularity. He had been involved in numerous local clubs and groups, including the tennis club, and was a founder of the Pantomime Society with the late Lolly McEvoy and Matt and Dolores Gilsenan, amongst others. He was well known to appear on stage in various guises at functions in the town, and was renowned for his humorous portrayals of characters. He was chairman of the local council when Trim won its Tidy Towns award in 1970, and travelled to Donegal with Fr Tehan for the announcement ceremony. Mr Dempsey was active in promoting tourism and the need for Trim Castle to become a centrepiece attraction in the town, and was delighted when local minister Noel Dempsey finally achieved this. On his retirement, the then council chairman Michael Lenihan remarked that Mr Dempsey had brought Trim to what it was today. Mr Dempsey said he did not feel worthy of the tributes paid to him at his final meeting, and said he simply represented the people of Trim to the best of his ability, and enjoyed doing so. He is survived by his wife, Bridie (nee Campbell), family, Marian Durkan, Sheila Quirke and Anne Stack; sons-in-law; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Theresa Delany. His remains reposed at his daughter Sheila's home at Rathvale, Athboy, before removal to St Patrick's Church, Trim on Sunday evening. The Funeral Mass took place on Monday with burial afterwards at Newtown Cemetery, Trim.