Obituaries 08-01-2011

The death occurred peacefully on St Stephen's Day last, of Mrs Mary E (Popsey) Meade, a respected member of an old Meath family, at her home in Dublin. Popsey Meade was born Mary Elizabeth Condra in Possextown, Nobber, on November 5th 1910, but from an early age everyone knew her as Popsey. Her father was Philip Condra, whose occupation was listed on the 1911 census as 'Farmer and Master Miller'. As well as farming in Possextown he operated the corn mill on the river Dee in Julianstown for many years. Her mother was Mary Anne Halpin, a member of a prominent family in the village of Nobber. Deceased had two brothers, Richard, who died young, and Michael who died in New York in later years. Her only sister Kitty, who married Tom Moore from Athboy, remained her closest friend all her life until she too sadly passed away. In the 1950s, Popsey married Ted Meade from Lobinstown, a widower who had been left with two small sons after the early death of his wife Tess Tully from Rathdrina, Slane. Ted had been a leading member of Meath football teams throughout the 1920s and 1930s, winning many medals for Meath and Leinster, but much to his regret never achieving the ultimate glory of an All Ireland medal. He came closest when Meath reached the final in 1939 but lost by a couple of points. Undaunted, when Ted retired from playing he became a selector. Then the legendary team reached the All Ireland football final in 1949 and Ted assisted Father Tully, a cousin of his wife's, in setting up and running the team training camp in Gibbstown. Ted had his lifetime goal fulfilled when they beat Cavan to win Meath's first All Ireland. In the 1970s after Ted died, Popsey moved to Dublin to be closer to her family where she made many new friends around Stillorgan where she lived. However, she never lost touch with her Nobber roots, and was kept up to date through her cousins, Josie Carty in the village and the Halpins in Ballinamore. On November 5th 2010, Popsey celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends, and entertained them with rebel poems that she still remembered from her school in Nobber 90 years before. Her favourite was 'Paud O'Donohoe'. Sadly on December 26th, in her 101st year, Popsey passed peacefully away in her home in the presence of her caring family. Popsey is survived by her sons Kevin and Aiden; daughters-in-law Della and Jo; grandchildren Nicola, Colin, Suzanne, Karen, Davíd and Tessa; great-grandchildren Andrew, Daniel, Senan and John; nephew Roger and many other relatives and friends. Her funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Nobber on Thursday 30th December by Fr Seamus Houlihan, and she was interred in Castletown Kilpatrick cemetery beside her husband Ted. ____________________________________________________________ Kitty Mahon, Athboy and Killeen The death occurred peacefully but unexpectedly on Christmas Eve of Mrs Kitty Mahon, Killeen, Dunshaughlin, at St Elizabeth's Nuring Home, Athboy. Mrs Mahon was a member of the Farrell family of Frayne, Athboy, and had celebrated her 94th birthday on 3rd December last. Deceased, who was renowned for her cooking skills, worked in a number of houses in Athboy, including the Convent House, McCanns, and Clifton Lodge, before moving to Killeen Glebe in Dunsany where she worked with the Mullins family. She married Rory Mahon, of Knockmark, Drumree, who also worked on the Mullins farm, and later with the Board of Works (OPW) and they settled in Killeen. Their home was renowned for its hospitality and as a gathering point for neighbours and family. Mr Mahon predeceased her in August 2005. Mrs Mahon is survived by her sisters-in-law, Alice Farrell, Frayne, and Gretta Carey (nee Mahon), Boston, USA; nephews, Liam and Richard; nieces, Alma and Roma; extended family, relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her brothers, Jim and William (Roddy), and her sister, Rosie McCabe. The funeral took place from St James' Church, Athboy, to St James' Cemetery. Fr Patrick O'Connor, PP, Athboy, officiated. ____________________________________________________________ Mary Coleman, Duleek Great sadness was occasioned over a wide area following the recent death of Mrs Mary Coleman, Station Road, Duleek, at Boyne View House, Drogheda. Mrs Coleman was a daughter of the late Paddy and Anna Jennings of Boyle O'Reilly Terrace, Drogheda, and was predeceased by her husband, Paudie Coleman, in 1974. Deceased is survived by her sons, Joseph and Michael, and daughters, Anne and Yvonne. The funeral took place to Holy Cross Cemetery, Duleek. A month's memory Mass takes place on Sunday 9th January at 11.30am in St Cianan's Church, Duleek.