Recent deaths 07-08-10

There was widespread sadness following the death on 6th July last of Mrs Nancy Finnerty, Greenpark, Dunshaughlin, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, aged 86. A member of the Connell family of Greenpark, she was predeceased by her husband, Jim, in 1997. Mrs Finnerty was well known throughout the parish of Skryne where she was born and raised. In her early days, she had worked in her parents' shop at Greenpark, and in later years took part in activities such as membership of the local ICA. She enjoyed many evenings playing poker, was a keen racegoer and a regular visitor to the Galway Races, and always supported all her family member's various sporting activities. In her latter years, Mrs Finnerty enjoyed many happy Friday mornings with the active retirement club in Dunshaughlin. She was greatly loved and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Deceased is survived by family, Enda, Breda, Annette, Jimmy, Desmond and Padraig; grandchildren; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; brother-in-law; sister-in-law; nephews; nieces; extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Malachy. The funeral took place from St Colmcille's Church, Skryne, to the adjoining cemetery. A month's mind Mass will take place on Sunday 8th August in Skryne Church at 11am. ____________________________________________________________ Jim Dargan, Ballivor One of Ballivor's most prominent community activists, Mr James (Jim) Dargan, was laid to rest on Saturday 24th July. Mr Dargan (85) was born on the main street in the village, and was one of the few constants in Ballivor throughout all of the changes of the 20th century. After attending the old school in Ballivor, deceased went to secondary school in Ballyfin College, but he always wanted to return home to Ballivor. He loved farming and the land. He farmed cattle and sheep but he had a particular love of horses, and produced some top class showjumpers over the years, but most notable Coolronan, who was on the three-time Aga Khan Trophy winning team in the late 1970s, ridden by Captain Con Power. Jim Dargan sat on the IFA National Horse Committee. He was probably best known as the chairman of the Ballivor Horse Show for the past 40 years. This has been a huge community effort and has consistently ranked in the top 15 shows in the country, hosting one of the prestigious national Grand Prix. He loved music and was a gifted pianist. He could play almost anything by ear. He once recorded himself playing Irish melodies non-stop for an hour and a half, thinking in the middle of one tune what to play next so he could stay in the same key and not stop. This tradition goes back to when the old house in the village was a focal point for music and chat. He was a long time member of the church choir. Deceased was also well known as a prolific footballer and hurler. He won an intermediate football title with Ballivor in 1948 and intermediate and junior hurling titles with Boardsmill, Longwood and Killyon. As a player he took no prisoners. After the Feis Cup victory in 1950, when there were five Ballivor players on the Meath panel, it was Jim Dargan, Paddy 'Stonewall' Dixon and Aidan Foran who kept up with the pace. His prowess on the field is immortalised in John Quinn's book 'Goodnight Ballivor, I'll Sleep in Trim,' and in Tom Kiernan's song about the 1948 Ballivor team. John Quinn also wrote a poem to the memory of his childhood hero. Mr Dargan was instrumental in the development of the new Ballivor school, creche and GAA grounds, along with his fellow trustees of the cowplot, Colm Walsh and the late Paddy Dixon. His association with schools goes back to when his mother came from Clare to teach in Coolronan. Deceased was a director of the Credit Union and a peace commissioner, like his father. He was a Meath County Councillor when younger and never swayed from his Fianna Fail allegiance. He loved Ballivor and Meath and worked throughout his life to help his local community. It was fitting that he enjoyed the company of the active retirement group the evening before he died. Predeceased by his wife Cepta, in 1989, and son, James, he is survived by family Peter, Andrée, Joseph, Michael; brother, Peter, Ballsbridge, Dublin; sisters, Lily Tierney, Sutton; Bridget Carty, Malahide; Rita O'Siochrú, Dalkey; and Dina Williams Malahide. He was also predeceased by his brother, Michael J Dargan. The funeral took place from the Church of St Columbanus, Ballivor, to the local cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Billy Melia, Rathmolyon The death occurred at the end of May of Mr Billy Melia, well known in both GAA and entertainment circles in the county and further afield. Mr Melia, of Rathmolyon, had played football and hurling with the Trim and Rathmolyon clubs and was a member of the Gold and Silver Band, playing drums. Mr Melia, who worked in the construction and excavation industry, passed away after a short illness, at Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, on 30th May. He had been very active right up to the time of his illness, and as a strong GAA supporter and a season ticket holder, attended Meath football league and championship games across the country. Deceased was best known as drummer with the Gold and Silver Band, playing old time dance music in halls and at functions across the north east for over 60 years. In 2008, the band performed for President McAleese at Aras an Uachtaran, a proud moment for Mr Melia and his fellow band members. He is survived by his wife, Dympna; son, Peter, Rathmolyon; daughter, Claire Mullarkey, Trim; sister, Patricia Reynolds, Dublin; daughter-in-law, Joan; son-in-law, Ronan; grandchildren, Ellen Melia and Cian and Emily Mullarkey; nieces, Mairead Cullen, Dublin, and Kathryn Fox, Navan; and brother-in-law, Michael Reynolds. The funeral took place from St Michael's Church, Rathmolyon, to Kill Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Aileen Kavanagh, Trim Her many friends and acquintances throughout the area and further afield were saddened to learn of the death early last week at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, of Mrs Aileen Kavanagh, Newtown, Trim. Aged 82, the late Mrs Kavanagh had been resident for the past 18 months at St Elizabeth's Nursing Home, Athboy. She was widow of the late Mr Des Kavanagh, a well-known veterinary surgeon in Trim for many years, and who predeceased her in 1996. Mrs Kavanagh was a daughter of the late Denis and Alice Davis of Market Square, Navan. Her father was managing director of the Meath Chronicle for many years. She was predeceased also by her brother, Jim, and sister, Maura. Mrs Kavanagh enjoyed golf and bridge and was a popular member of Trim Golf Club, where she made many friends over the years. She also enjoyed walking. Deceased is survived by her sons, Bryan and Shane; daughters, Sally Ann, Lorraine and Clodagh; brothers, Paddy and Donal; sister, Helen; grandchildren, great-grandchild, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces and other relatives. The funeral Mass in St Patrick's Church, Trim, last Friday was attended by a large number of mourners, testimony to the esteem in which she was held by all. The ceremony was concelebrated by Rev Martin Kavanagh, assisted by Rev Martin Clarke and Rev Mark Mohan, CC, Trim. Burial took place afterwards in St Loman's Cemetery, Trim. _____________________________________________________________ John Fox, Kilskyre The regretted death occurred on 5th July last at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan of Mr Johnny Fox, Robinstown, Kilskyre. Mr Fox (88) had bravely battled illness in recent years and remained positive throughout while lovingly cared for at home by his dedicated wife of 42 years, Maureen, his daughter Mary, and his sons James and John. A native of Kilskyre, he was one of nine children. Like his father, James, before him he was a lifelong farmer who never retired from a vocation that he loved. A quiet, humble, strong, patient, selfless and softly spoken man, he was in truth, often happier on the land than in most social settings. He is survived by his wife, daughter, sons, sister Sheila Owens, daughter-in-law Jackie, John's partner Martha, grandchildren Aaron, Zoe, and Simon, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, relatives, and close friends. The funeral took place from the Church of St Alphonsus Liguori, Kilskyre, to adjoining cemetery. A month's memory Mass will be celebrated at Kilskyre Church on Friday 6th August at 8pm. _____________________________________________________________ Paddy O'Loughlin, Rath Chairn The sad death recently occurred, at the age of 87, of Mr Paddy O'Loughlin, Rath Chairn, Athboy. Deceased was son of the late Michael and Mary O'Loughlin of Lettermullen, Connemara, Co Galway. He spent a large part of his life living in Camden Town, London, before returning to his homeland. Mr O'Loughlin was resident for the last eight years at St Joseph's Nursing Home, Trim, where he was very happy. Deceased is survived by his brother, Michael; sister, Mary Duffy; sister-in-law, Bridge O'Loughlin; nephews and nieces, Michael Duffy, Maureen McCann, Kathleen White and Margaret Smith; Marion, Michael and Martin O'Loughlin and their families; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Rath Chairn, to St James' Cemetery, Athboy. _____________________________________________________________ Ciara Fox, Kells There was great sadness in Kells and surrounds following the recent death of 17 year-old Ciara Louise Fox, of Blackthorne Close, Kells, at Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. A daughter of Noleen Fox, she was a native of Kells and a student of Kells Community School, where she had just completed her Leaving Certificate. Last year, she attended the Rose of Tralee Festival as the honorary 51st Rose thanks to the Limerick-based Make-A-Wish foundation. She is survived by her mother, Noleen; grandparents, Mary and Kieran Fox; uncle, Adrian Fox; aunts, Rosemarie and Edwina Fox; cousins, Nadine, Clodagh and Orazio, and other relatives and many friends. Her remains were removed to St Colmcille's Church, Kells and her funeral took place to St Colmcille's Cemetery on 17th July. A months memory Mass will take place in St Colmcille's Church on 15th August at 9am. The family pays tribute to Dr John O'Connell, Moynalty, the nurses and doctors of the Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Tallaght Hospital, the staff of Freeman Hospital Newcastle and the Mater Hospital. They also wish to thank the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, Fr John Joe Murphy and all Ciara's friends and family for their support. _____________________________________________________________ John Finnegan, Nobber and London The regretted death occurred on 25th July at the age of 72 of Mr John Stephen Finnegan of Wembley, London. Mr Finnegan was son of the late Michael and Helen Finnegan of Nobber. He moved to England 50 years ago with his wife Veronica to settle and raise a family. Deceased played an active part in his local community with many years service as chairman of St Joseph's Social Club in Wembley. Mr Finnegan is survived by his wife, Veronica; sons, John, Thomas, Colm and Garry; and grandchildren, Ciaran, Niall, Liam, Eion, Myles, Rohan, Angus, Broghan and Colm James. The funeral took place yesterday (Tuesday 3rd August) at Our Lady's Help of Christians, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire followed by a private family burial at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, Watford, Hertfordshire.