Obituaries 19-11-11

The death took place on 1st October last of Mr Bill Lyons, MRCVS, Boyne Road, Navan, one of the most eminent members of the veterinary profession in Ireland. Christened Peter James Lyons, but known to all as Bill, he was aged 85. Deceased led a busy life and he maintained many interests outside his professional career. He was a founding member and former president of the Rotary Club in Navan for which he was honoured, and for 58 years he was a member of the Knights of Columbanus. Above all else, Mr Lyons was a family man and he was supported throughtout his long life by his wife Pauline, with whom he enjoyed some 55 years of marriage. He was proud of his children Susan, Peter, Anne and Paul and his grandchildren Fiona and Maureen and he was much loved by his siblings and their extended families. Having qualified as a veterinary surgeon, Mr Lyons went to work in Cirencester in Gloucestershire before coming back to Ireland to join his father's veterinary practice in Navan. His client list represented some of the leading breeders and trainers and he was Fred Winter's veterinary surgeon in Ireland. He was twice president of the Irish Veterinary Association, and worked on on the veterinary panels at both Ballsbridge Sales and Goffs. His late sister Molly was married to jockey Pat Taaffe and the two men formed a close friendship and Mr Lyons travelled a great deal with the late Mr Taaffe, enjoying many of the greatest triumphs with Arkle. For many years, he travelled by car to Cheltenham with three fellow practitioners, Jim Tyrrell (Portlaoise), Derry Kelly (Galway) and Des O'Neill (Oldcastle). In 2004 he celebrated his 50th consecutive Cheltenham trip in the company of family and friends, an occasion the group marked, much to deceased's delight. He was especially proud to have been present the following year when his nephew Tom Taaffe's Kicking King won the Gold Cup. The Meath Louth West-meath Region Of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders, Association presented him with an award in 2005, while in April this year President McAleese presented him with a medal, as one of the equine veterinary surgeons who was over 50 years qualified. Bill Lyons was an absolute gentleman, impeccably well mannered, considerate, kind and warm. He was a man well respected in every aspect if his life and he will be missed by many, but none more so than his family to whom he was devoted. Mr Lyons is survived by his wife, sons and daughters; brother James; sister Olive; son-in-law Philippe; grand-daughters Fiona and Maureen and Paul's girlfriend Jacqui; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and a large circle of friends. A Requiem Mass took place in St Mary's Church, Navan. Mr Lyons' body has been bequeathed to medical science. ____________________________________________________________ Ann Bernadette Clerkin, Navan and Dublin The regretted death occurred on 16th September last of Ms Ann Bernadette Clerkin, formerly of Ludlow Street, Navan and the Stiles Road, Clontarf, at the age of 84, in The Mater Hospital, Dublin. Ms Clerkin was a groundbreaking member of Navan Urban Council in the 1960s, and was later a promiment official of the Royal Meath Association of Dublin. She worked for the Revenue Commissioners in Customs and Excise prior to her retirement. Deceased was a Peace Commissioner and was a Fine Gael member of Navan Urban Council for a decade in the 1960s. Elected to the male-dominated urban council in 1960, she was re-elected in 1967 when she was joined by a second female, Mrs C Murray, representing the local tenants' association. Tributes to Ms Clerkin were led at a recent meeting of Navan Town Council by Cllr Jim Holloway. He said one of her first questions in July 1960 was regarding replacement wooden window frames at Emmet Terrace, replacing the old metal ones. Later, in September, she wanted to know what stage the Fair Green Car Park surfacing was at, and was told it would be happening the following month. In November 1968, she resigned her seat, and was succeeded at the February meeting in 1969 by the co-option of Tim Shalvey. Bernadette Clerkin was secretary of the Meath Federation of Muintir na Tire and was an active member of the Navan branch of the Gaelic League and of the Ambulance Corps of the Knights of Malta. In Dublin, she was a proud member of the Royal Meath Association and a keen follower of the fortunes of her native GAA team. She was a staunch supporter of both John and Richard Bruton. Her dedication and community involvement extended to The Legion of Mary, St Joseph's Young Priests Society and to numerous other charities. When it came to hobbies they were many and varied. A keen scrabble-player she attended many weekend conventions where she pitted her skills against wordsmiths from all across the country. She loved to enter competitions and was one of the luckiest people in the country. She took a lot of time on an almost daily basis to finalise her entries and send them off, often several at a time. She was a very regular winner. Deceased was an avid collector of dolls of every kind and amassed an international treasure trove of dolls from all over the world and from here at home too. Ann Bernadette Clerkin will be remembered as a person that touched many many people in her life, who will be remembered by friends, colleagues and neighbours and will stay forever in the hearts of her family. Daughter of the late Christopher and Agnes Clerkin, she is survived by her brother Philip Clerkin, sisters Genevieve Devey, Beda Boyle, Oonagh Egan and Mona Egan. She was predeceased by her sister, Maura Coldrick. Her remains were removed to St Mary's Church, Navan and her funeral took place to St Mary's Cemetery. A month's Memory Mass takes place on Sunday next, 20th November, at 1pm, in St Mary's Church. ____________________________________________________________ Beda Callan, Crossakiel and Dromiskin Mrs Beda Callan (nee Carolan), of Milltown Grange, Dromiskin, Co Louth, who died peacefully at Carlingford Nursing Home on Monday 31st October, was a well known and highly regarded musician. She was born on 14th April 1931, one of six children, four boys and two girls, of Joseph and Bridget Carolan, Crossakiel, Kells. Her family home was a ceili house where everybody was welcome, the kettle was always on the boil and the sound of music, singing and dancing filled the air. The family were musicians, singers and dancers. A young Beda Carolan attended Kilskyre NS and showed musical aptitude while there. She made her stage debut at the age of 13 and for the rest of her life, music and organ playing was her passion, becoming a member of the Crossakiel Ceili Band and The Golden Dawn Band. Deceased married Leo Callan from Drumconrath, and the couple set up home in Dromiskin where they raised two daughters. Her Meath heritage remained very strong and she was immensely proud of her Royal County roots. In the 1970s, deceased was resident organist in the East Gate Hotel in Castlebellingham, and people came from all over the county and beyond to listen to her music. Deceased played at parties, weddings and funerals and was the organist in St Peter's Church, Dromiskin, for many years. She was a true life force, a lady who had a word for everyone and an inviting smile to match, forming lasting friendships in the process. Mrs Callan was an excellent cook and artist and also enjoyed gardening, with her flowers her pride and joy. She had marvellous faith, with a deep devotion to Our Lady and The Sacred Heart. For the past five years, she was a patient in Carlingford Nursing Home and made new friends there. A committed family woman, much of her life revolved around those closest to her, particularly her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, nephews and nieces. She played a pivotal role in her family's life and will forever remain in their thoughts and prayers. Deceased is survived by her daughters, Kathleen (Dromiskin) and Alma (USA); grandchildren, Elizabeth, Bridget, Christine, Victoria and Paul; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Kieran, Conor, Leon, Lynsey-Kate and Lauren; son-in-law, John; brothers, Willie (England) and Larry (Kells); sisters-in-law Aggie, Dorothy and Pauline Carolan; grandson-in-law, Damien; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Leo in 2001; sister, Kathleen Balfe, and brothers, Bernie and Jim. A month's memory Mass will be held on Sunday, 27th November, in Dromiskin, at 10.30am. ___________________________________________________________ Annie Lynch, Oldcastle Oldcastle said farewell to Mrs Annie Lynch of St Bridget's Terrace, Oldcastle, on Sunday 6th November last. Mrs Lynch, who was in her 100th year, was president of the Oldcastle Fianna Fail Cumann, and matriarch of a musical and political family. She had marked her 99th birthday in early September and was in good health up until a short illness just before her passing on Friday 4th November. A member of the McGrath family of Knocklough, Oldcastle, at the age of 17 she married Phil Lynch of Summerbank, Oldcastle, a Fianna Fail county councillor, rent collector, and leader of the Moylagh Ceili Band. He developed multiple sclerosis as a young man, and passed away in 1959, but not before he had passed on a love of music and the skills of playing to his family, who became the renowned Lynch Brothers Ceili Band. With her late husband, she attended a garden party for public representatives at the Eucharistic Congress in the Phoenix Park in 1932, and was always very proud of having heard Count John McCormack sing 'Panis Angelicus', and her commemorative medal. At her funeral Mass, Fr Ray Kelly, PP, recalled how, whith her husband ill, she did the collection of rents herself, and when finished, tacked up her pony and trap, and set off for Kells, to deliver the money to the rent officer there. Having lost her husband, there was further sadness in 1993 when son Pat passed away, and in September of this year, when her son John Joe died. Members of Fianna Fail from across the county provided a guard of honour at the removal to St Brigid's Church, Oldcastle, and the town saw one of its largest funerals from many years last Sunday week. Mrs Lynch is survived by her sons, Michael, Phil, Oliver, and Liam; daughter, Sheila; sister, Lil (USA); daughters-in-law; son-in-law; grandchildren; nephews; nieces; great-grandchildren; relatives and friends. Burial took place afterwards in Moylagh Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Josie Doyle, Rathfeigh There was widespread sadness following the death of Mrs Josephine (Josie) Doyle, Edoxtown, Tara, in Beaumont Hospital on 2nd November last. A member of the Clynch family of Dunsany, deceased lived in Rathfeigh for most of her life. She battled through illness for many years but still tried to live life in the normal way. A very religious person she never lost faith and loved to travel to Knock when she was able. She loved to play cards, backed the occasional horse and took an interest in most things in the community. Her main hobbies were reading and writing, and she penned many poems, and was published in local productions around the Dunsany and Tara area, and also published her own selection of poetry some years back. Predeceased by her husband, Christy, in 2004, she is survived by her family, Christy, Mary, Pauline, Martin, Anthony, Gerry; brother, Donie; son-in-law; daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. A large crowd attended the wake at her home, and the removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathfeigh, for the funeral mass and burial in the adjoining cemetery. A months memory Mass takes place at 12 noon on Sunday 4th December in Rathfeigh.