Obituaries 03-12-2011

The regretted death occurred on 4th November last of Mrs Alice Kenny, Hillview, Dunshaughlin, at Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, aged 84 years, after a brief illness. Mrs Kenny was a member of the Potts family, late of Emmet Terrace, Navan, and had resided at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim, for the past 11 years, where she was lovingly cared for. During her time in St Joseph's, Mrs Kenny discovered she had a talent for art and painted many beautiful pictures, which family members proudly display in their homes. She was also known to entertain her friends in St Joseph's with a song of two. Predeceased by her husband, Sean in 1998, Mrs Kenny is survived by her sons, Derek, Dunshaughlin, Paddy, Kilmessan, Seamus, Philippines; daughter, Marcella, Cardiff, Wales; daughters-in-law, Kathleen and Gabrielle; son-in-law Mark Morris, grandchildren, great grandchildren; sister, Cellie Mullen; brother-in-law, Mickey Kenny; extended family, and friends. The funeral took place from Ss Patrick and Seachnall's Church, Dunshaughlin, to the old cemetery in the village. A months memory Mass takes place on Saturday 10th December, at 10am, in Dunshaughlin. _____________________________________________________________ Patrick Leonard, Trim There was great sadness in Trim and surrounds following the death of the retired hardware merchant and publican, Mr Patrick (Pat) Leonard, St John's, Trim, on 19th September last, at Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, Dublin, following a long illness bravely borne. Mr Leonard ran The Malt House public house at Athboy Gate, and the nearby Priory Inn, as well as hardware businesses on Market Street and at Athboy Gate. Born in Trim in 1934, he was a well known figure in the business and farming communities. Deceased was a past captain of Royal Tara Golf Club at Bellinter, in 1969, and was the youngest captain of his era. He was the longest sponsor of the Meath Hunt and Tara Harriers Point to Point, which he enjoyed very much. Mr Leonard was a long-standing member of the Knights of St Columbanus, as well as the local Chamber of Commerce. At the time of his passing, many memories were shared, and tributes received from individuals, clubs and businesses, for which the family are very grateful. The funeral Mass from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery, celebrated by Fr Sean Henry, PP, Fr Mark Mohan, CC, and Fr Declan Smyth, chaplain to the Knights of St Columbanus. Doctors Aine Kenny, Trim, Ray McDermott, Beacon Clinic, and Pierre Therrion, Beacon, provided marvellous support, as did the Garda Siochana, and Fr Gerard Daly DSD, a cousin of the deceased, who celebrated the month's memory Mass. Mr Leonard is survived by his wife, Colette, sons, Patrick Jnr, Gareth, Rodney and Matthew, Trim; daughter-in-law, granddaughter, Emmy; brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and many friends. ____________________________________________________________ John Monaghan, Oldcastle There was considerable sadness following the death on 2nd November last, All Souls' Day, of Mr John Monaghan, Ballintogher House, Dromone, Oldcastle, at Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, aged 82. Born on St Valentine's Day 1929, deceased lives all his life on the family farm at Ballintogher, a home which was built around 1820 and has served five generations over the past 195 years. He was a very resourceful man whose DIY skills were very impressive. When rural electrification first came to Ireland, deceased made a trip to Dublin and bought a book in Easons on how to wire your home. Soon, his Ballintogher home was well lit and shining brightly. He enjoyed fishing, sports, football and hunting. It has been noted that he scored the first point for Moylagh football team in 1947, in a game that took place on his own land, at 'Monaghan's Bottoms'. Mr Monaghan was also an avid reader and was known to read well into the morning when he discovered a good book. He and his wife, Chrissie, holidayed annually in Salthill, Galway. He loved nature and showed this by feeding the wild birds that visited his garden daily. Deceased will be remembered as a very kind and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, neighbour and friend. He lived a life dedicated to family, a family that welcomed many foster children over the years. He remained active in the home, demonstrating his DIY skills, until his sudden passing. Mr Monaghan is survived by his wife, Chrissie; family, Ian, Olive and Robert; daughter-in-law Sinead; son-in-law Gerry; grandchildren Brona, Shane and Matthew; brother, Matt (Canada), sisters, Lucilla Reilly (Knocklough), Mona O'Reilly (Bailieborough), Rosie Gilsenan (Fore); nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and his many good friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Moylagh, to the adjoining cemetery, celebrated by Fr Ray Kelly, PP, Fr Michael Walsh, Fr Gerard Cusack and Fr John Brogan. A month's memory Mass will take place on Sunday 4th December, at 10am, in St Mary's Church, Molyagh. ____________________________________________________________ Samantha O'Brien, Kells There was widespread shock and sorrow following the sudden death of Ms Samantha (Sam) O'Brien, Magdelene Court and Cherry Hill Road, Kells, and formerly of Dublin, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, aged 34. Deceased was a much loved person within the community of Kells, with a warm personality, known for her may acts of kindness and willingness to help anyone in need. Large crowds from her adopted Kells and her native Dublin attended the wake at her father's home, and a lone piper accompanied the remains to St Colmcille's Church, as soccer players from the local clubs provided guards of honour. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr John Byrne, PP, and Fr David Brennan, with family members taking part in the ceremony. The attendance included teachers and students from the primary and post primary schools in the town, public representatives, officials of soccer clubs from across the county, and Defence Force personnel. Ms O'Brien's father, Michael, is a sergeant with the Irish Army, and served on a number of overseas missions. She is survived by her parents, Michael and Carol, stepmother, Rose; son, Cian; daughter, Ella; sisters, Michelle and Kayleigh; brothers, Alan and Michael; close friends, Sean and Patrick; nephews, nieces, grandmother, aunts, uncles, and a large circle of family and friends. The funeral took place to St Colmcille's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Martin Murphy, Navan The regretted death occurred on 5th November last of Mr Martin Murphy, St Martin's Apartments, Navan, and formerly of Liscarton, Navan, at Our Lady's Hospital. Deceased was a native of Liscarton, and was son of the late Michael and Theresa Murphy. A past pupil of the De La Salle Brothers in Navan, deceased worked hard all his life, with an ability to turn his hand to anything. He worked in Navan Carpets, Brenel Furniture, Brita Water Softeners, Navan Shopping Centre and Flower Hill Furniture. But he got most enjoyment from his work as a driving instructor, where he had great success. At his funeral Mass, Fr Brendan Ludlow spoke of his love of his role as a driving instructor and how many people in the area were driving due to his lessons. Fr Ludlow spoke of his big heart and kindness towards people. His pride and joy was his family who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; daughters, Martina and Marguerite; son, Ian; grandsons, Cian, Jamie and Ben; brothers, Paul and Stephen; sister, Patricia; relatives and friends. The funeral Mass took place in St Mary's Church, followed by burial in St Mary's Cemetery, alongside his parents, brother, Kevin and grandfather, Tomas Moyles. A month's memory Mass will take place in St Mary's Church at 11am on Sunday 4th December. ____________________________________________________________ Cecil Curran, Moynalty and London The death occurred suddenly in England on 30th October last of Mr Cecil Curran, late of Carrickspringan, Moynalty, and London. Deceased will be remembered as a gifted craftsman, and as a popular fun loving person, with a warm personality. A great willingness to work meant that every task was finished to perfection. In his younger years, he worked in the north Meath and Dublin areas, with a number of construction firms. Being a dependable worker, his skills and time were always required. Following the tragic death of his father, Paddy, Mr Curran moved to England in the early 1970s, and continued to work in construction. While he never made a return visit home, he continued to keep in touch with family. In recent months, he was cared for in a nursing home, where he died peacefully, aged 74. His remains were taken home and waked at the home of his late brother, Patrick, in Kells, and many men who worked with the deceased, from across the country, attended. His remains were received at Moynalty Church by Fr Joe McEvoy, PP, and the Funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr McEvoy and Mr Curran's cousin, Fr Mattie Reilly, Ssc, Dalgan Park, Navan. Fr Reilly spoke of Mr Curran as a man who was willing to share his many talents with so many, and his legacy is to be seen in so many homes and buildings that had been constructed by him. Relatives took part in the ceremony in which Matthew Gilsenan and members of the Moynalty Choir provided the music and hymns. Burial followed in St Mary's Cemetery, Moynalty. Deceased was predeceased by his father, Patrick; mother, Margaret; brother, Patrick; sisters, Molly, Rosie and Annie; and is survived by his sisters, Peggy, London; Angela O'Reilly, Summerhill; brother, Tommie, Dungannon; nephews, including Cllr Brian Curran, Kells, and nieces; and cousins, including Fr Reilly, Fr Val Farrell, PP, Blackpool, and Fr Sean Henry, PP, Trim.