Recent deaths 05-09-09

The death occurred on 20th July last, in her 91st year, of Mrs Kathleen (Kitty) Grimes, Lower Church View, Kells. Wife of the late Jack Grimes, who passed away in 1985, deceased was a member of the Casserly family, Springville, Kells. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who enjoyed the company of her family and friends. Mrs Grimes is survived by her sons, John and Seamus, Kells; daughters, Kathleen Conaty, Kells; Jean Balfe, Oldcastle, Mary Carr, Margaret Molloy, Bernie Tormey and Liz O'Reilly, Kells; sons-in-law; sisters, Annie Donohoe, Jenny Culliney, Betty Farrell, Ellen O'Hara; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and a wide circle of friends. The funeral took place from St Colmcille's Church to St Colmcille's Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Richard Plunkett, Dunshaughlin The death occurred on 18th August last, at Heatherfield Nursing Home, of Mr Richard (Dickie) Plunkett, Roestown, Dunshaughlin. He was aged 85. During his years as a member of the outdoor staff of Meath County Council, deceased was a familiar sight on the roads of the area. Born on 17th July 1924, he was youngest son of Paddy and Bridget (nee O'Brien) Plunkett, and attended Dunshaughlin National School. As a young lad, his days were spent planting potatoes, cabbage and turnips, milking cows and feeding calves. He regularly herded cattle to and from the salesyard in Dunshaughlin with his father, and following a successful mart, it wasn't unknown for his father to treat him to a bottle of stout in Gogan's public house. At Easter, with his parents and late brother, Jimmy, he walked to the Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse. As a member of the outdoor staff of Meath County Council, Mr Plunkett was a familiar sight on the roads around Dunshaughlin and its surrounding areas with his brush and shovel, cycling from location to location. Following his retirement, he filled his days chopping firewood, cycling, taking daily walks and, in more recent times, viewing the progress on the M3 motorway near his home. A kind, quiet, caring person, he passed away on 18th August. As his funeral cortege paused at his home one final time, his neighbours formed a guard of honour, a fitting tribute to a quiet man who had lived among them all his years. Deceased will be sadly missed by his relatives, the extended McLoughlin family, Dunshaughlin, and the extended O'Brien family, Drumree, and by his many friends and neighbours. The funeral took place from the Church of Ss Patrick and Seachnall, Dunshaughlin, to the local cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Willie Lynch, Summerhill The death has occurred of Mr Willie Lynch, New Road, Summerhill, aged 83. Mr Lynch, who was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen, in September of last year, died at Ginnetts, Summerhill. They had been married for 56 years. A native of Belper, Tara, deceased was proprietor of a well-known grocery store and grain merchants business in Summerhill. He had attended Dunsany National School, St Patrick's Classical School, Navan, and St Finian's College, Mullingar, and, in 1951, started in business with a grocery shop in Summerhill. He soon expanded to sell hardware, drapery, haberdashery, fuel, animal feeds and fertiliser, and, in 1968, started a grain drying business. This business became one of the biggest employers in the area for the next two decades, and Mr Lynch retired in 2000. In his early days in Dunsany, he played cricket, as well as tennis in Kilmessan. Mr Lynch was a member of Royal Tara Golf Club and was also a founder member of Trim Bridge Club. With his wife, Kathleen, he was a member of Trim, Navan and Royal Tara Bridge Clubs. He was also an avid card player up to the time of his death. Deceased loved to travel and toured Ireland extensively, and also paid many visits to his cousin in Toronto, Canada. In addition to his wife, Mr Lynch was predeceased by twin sons, Joseph, in 1962, aged one month, and John in 1995. Deceased is survived by his daughters, Mary and Josie; brother, Maurice; sisters, Joan Collier and Moira Lynch; sons-in-law, Pat and Joe; daughter-in-law, Maureen; grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and other relatives. The funeral took place from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Dangan, to the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Manus Evans, Navan The communities of Kentstown and Navan were deeply saddened by the sudden death of Mr Manus Evans, Silverlawns, Navan, and formerly of Kentstown. He was aged 57. Deceased was born in Annascaul, Co Kerry, and moved with his family at the age of 14, to Somerville, Balrath, Kentstown, where he helped run the family farm with his late father. Mr Evans then went on to run Boland's Family Shop in Kentstown, and later, for a number of years, he was an employee of Tara Mines. In more recent years, he helped run Evans Coach Hire. While his gifted hands could solve any mechanical problem, it was in his position as a coach driver that he will be fondly remembered. From young to old, he treated every passenger with care and kindness. Mr Evans will be remembered as a man with a sense of style, who was always good-humoured and greeted everyone with his warm smile. Deceased is survived by his family, Michelle, Rachael, Ann, Manus and Aaron; grandchildren, Brendan, Joshua, Alicia, Evan, and Jake; and is also regretted by Ann (Evans), Nan (Boland), and Noreen (McLaughlin); brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; sons-in-law; nephews, nieces and other relatives. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Kentstown, to Kentstown Cemetery. On his final journey, he was afforded a guard of honour by the K&S Band and St Paul's National School. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Charles Kean, Galtrim Mr Charles Kean, Galtrim, Dunsany, who died aged 86 years, was a native of Keshcarrigan, Co Leitrim. Mr Kean passed away at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim, on 20th April last. Deceased was a plasterer, and had a great interest in following football and hurling. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty); sons, Arthur and Joe; daughter-in-law, Barbara; grandchildren, Alison and Paul; sister, Kitty Shanley, New York; relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from Kiltale Church to the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Patrick Plunkett O'Callaghan, Trim Much sadness was occasioned by the recent death of Mr Patrick Plunkett O'Callaghan, Summerhill Road, Trim, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Mr O'Callaghan (89) was a native of Blackpool, Cork, and previously worked at the Verolme Dockyard in Cork. He was very involved with the Glen Rovers Hurling and Football Club in Blackpool for many years until he moved to Trim some 12 years ago. Mr O'Callaghan loved and enjoyed his last remaining years in Trim. Deceased is survived by his wife, Frances; step-children, John Regan, Dunderry; Aidan Regan, Trim, and Kathleen Farrell, Trim; brother-in-law, Patrick (Podge) Andrews, Trim; step-daughters and sons-in-law, cousins, nephews, nieces and grandchildren and other relatives. Deceased's remains were removed to St Patrick's Church, Trim, with burial following the Funeral Mass there to St Loman's Cemetery, Trim. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Robert Flanagan, Navan An Appreciation It was with a sense of deep shock that his many friends in Navan and further a field learned of the passing of Robert Flanagan. I first came to know Robert when he joined St Mary's Church Choir, Navan, as a young boy in the Alto line, with Fr G Herbert, CC, of fond memory, as choir master. And when his voice broke, as it does to all boys, he joined the bass line. And as the years passed, it was in the late 1950s when the church organist, the late Bridie Scanlan, and Fr Herbert formed St Mary's Operetta Group to stage some of the Gilbert & Sullivan operas, such as, in 1957, 'HMS Pinafore', and 1958's 'The Mikado' where Robert came into his own. In 'HMS Pinafore', Robert played the part of 'Dick Deadeye' to perfection and enhanced his offerings with robust vocals. In 'The Mikado', he played the part of Poo-Bah (Lord High Everything Else) and, with John McCullagh as 'Ko-Ko' (Lord High Executioner), separately or together, they were irresistible to the audience. Noth revealed a splendid competence, mingling comedy and song in well-judged quantities. In 1979, a small number of friends, including Robert, formed The Navan Male Singers, and this small group went on in 1980 to organise the first Navan Choral Festival in the town. I am glad to say that both these groups are still 'going strong'. Robert's great love of singing brought him to join St Peter's Male Voice Choir in Drogheda, where he spent many happy years. It was fitting, therefore, that some 30 colleagues, friends and former and present members of Navan Male Singers and many of his friends from St Peter's Male Choir, Drogheda, came together to sing at his funeral Mass in St Mary's Church, Navan, on Monday 17th August last. This is only a very small insight of Robert's life from a singing point of view, others may fill in on his other achievements. To his dear wife, Betty and family, brothers and sisters, we extend our sincere sympathy in their great loss. May the sod rest lightly on his great soul. - FL.