Obituaries 17-09-11

An air of sadness and disbelief spread over Kilskyre and the surrounding community on Thursday 11th August last, with the news of the death of Nan McCabe, Milltown, Kilskyre, Kells. She was 76 years of age and died on her birthday, surrounded by her husband, Pat, and family. Deceased was a daughter of the late Pat and Anne McGrane and was born and reared in Milltown. Educated in Kilskyre National School and the Technical School in Kells, on completing her education, she worked in Tara Shoes, Kells, and later in Meath County Council. She was a great camogie player and played with the local camogie team in Crossakiel for a number of years. Her skill was hardly surprising as hurling was in the McGrane blood and her father, the late Pat McGrane, was a gifted hurler with the local hurling club and played on the county team. He was the first chairman of the Kilskyre Park Committee, formed in the early 1950s. Mrs McCabe represented her father at a ceremony in Kilskyre Park at the turn of the century in 2000, when a tree was planted in the corner of the grounds as a memorial to all the hurling men of Kilskyre and a Millennium Stone unveiled. She met Pat McCabe in the early 1950s and after they married in the mid-50s she settled down to rearing their family. Life was not always easy back in those days and many of today's generation would baulk at the hardship and difficulties encountered in raising a large family (nine in total) in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, but they had a solid foundation and made many sacrifices during those years to ensure their family were loved, reared and educated. As the family grew older, Mrs McCabe found time to pursue some of her hobbies and interests, including Pitch and Putt. She was a member of the then Ballinlough Club, and together with Pat, they played in all the local clubs and parts of Leinster winning many competitions. She had a great collection of trophies, plaques and prizes from her many years playing the game she loved so much. She was also a great darts player and played on the local teams in Crossakiel and Kilskyre and was always the one person to be relied on when the match was down to the wire. Many a match was won by her nailing the double tops! Her general knowledge was second to none and she was always in demand for table quizzes. Crosswords and puzzles were another of her talents and she could complete the most difficult crosswords with the greatest of ease. Nan and Pat McCabe enjoyed their social life together and liked nothing better than a good music session and would regularly be seen taking to the floor for an old time waltz. Tragedy struck in 1995 when they were dealt a terrible blow with the untimely death of their son, Brendan, at the age of 31 years. While a link was missing in her family, her faith was strong and together they helped each other and their family overcome their grief, always remembering the joy and happiness Brendan had brought them. Mrs McCabe was also predeceased by her infant son, Patrick; brothers, Luke (Kilskyre), Jack (Scotland), Pat (England) and sister, Mamie, (England). In the last few years, deceased had some health problems which were manageable and she continued to enjoy life, supported as always by Pat who was there by her side. In more recent months, her health began to deteriorate but her death came as a complete shock to her devastated family and all who knew her. A testament to her popularity was the hundreds of people who arrived at her home to pay their final respects. On her removal, at the crossroads before the church in Kiskyre, her coffin was removed from the hearse and carried by her family to the Church, led by a lone piper. Hundreds attended her Requiem Mass which was concelebrated by Fr John Brogan, PP, Kilskyre, and Fr Andy Doyle, PP, Bohermeen, following which, Mrs McCabe was laid to rest beside her son, Brendan. She is survived by her husband, Pat; daughters, Mary and Valerie; sons, Noel, Pat, Frank, Martin, Gerald and Alan, and their respective partners; sisters Lil McCabe (Kilskyre), Bridget and Teresa (England) and her brother Mick (England); 22 grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews and cousins. ____________________________________________________________ James Toole, Trim The passing of Mr James (Jim) Toole, Railway Road, Trim, was the source of widespread sadness. Aged 83, deceased was a native of Trim and was predeceased in 1991 by his wife, Claire. He died peacefully at his home. An employee of Meath County Council, deceased was a well known musician, and played with the Trim Wren Boys for over 50 years. His accordion went everywhere with him and he loved his annual trip to Kerry. Mr Toole will be remembered as a man with a happy outlook on life, and a smile for everybody. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, friend, performer, joker and the life and soul of a party. With his wife Claire, he reared a large family in difficult times. Thoughout those years, they worked hard to make ends meet, and bring up a family in a home filled with happiness and love. He is survived by his family, Mary, Kevin, Jim, Ann, Clare, Catherine, Phil, Joey and Jackie; daughters-in-law; sons-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Pearl Bruton, Kells There was considerable sadness in the Rossmeen, Kells area following the death of Pearl Bruton at her home on the 15th August last, aged 85 years. Predeceased by her husband, Michael, and her only sister, Eileen Sugrue, deceased was a very keen gardener, a long standing member of the Kells Country Market and never missed the whist in Kells on a Tuesday night, and also enjoyed the local bingos. Mrs Bruton was still driving her car right up until her short illness. She is survived by her son, Tossie, Rossmeen; daughters, Elma Curran, New York, Cinty McFadden, Gibbstown and Dolores McFadden, Gibbstown; daughter-in-law, sons-in-law; 10 grandchildren; nieces and nephews, the Sugrue family. The funeral took place from Saint Colmcille's Church, Kells, to the local cemetery. A month's memory Mass will be held in St Colmcille's Church, Kells on Sunday 18th September at 11am. ____________________________________________________________ Kathleen Lallaway, Navan The regretted death occurred on 3rd March last of Mrs Kathleen Lallaway, St Benildus' Vilas, Navan. A member of the Casey family, Balreask, she was predeceased by her husband, Eamon, and son, Eamon. She is survived by her family, Francis, Louie, Olive, Wendy; grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Sheila, Lily, Mary, Noeleen, Mattie and Louie; sisters-in-law; brother-in-law; nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery, celebrated by Fr Brendan Ludlow.