Recent deaths 14-03-09

The regretted death occurred on 5th March of Mrs Delia Callaghan (nee Moore), St Mary"s Park, Navan, in her 101st year. Born on 28th January 1909, Mrs Callaghan had recently celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends in her home and was also visited by the Bishop of Meath Dr Michael Smith, on the day he celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination as a bishop. Mrs Callaghan was born in Stackallen to John and Bridget Moore and the family later moved to Academy Street, Navan. Her father, John, died in 1946, aged 88, while her mother, Bridget, also celebrated her 100th birthday on 1st February 1966 when she received a cheque from President Eamonn de Valera, and lived to be 102. Mrs Callaghan was one of 12 children and was the last surviving family member. She worked as a cook and was employed by Judge Lentane, Sir Alexander Maguire and Taoiseach William T Cosgrave where she recalled visits by Count John McCormack. Deceased married Christy Callaghan in June 1937 and the couple were married for 64 years when Mr Callaghan died in 2001, aged 94. Mr Callaghan was a well-known face around the town, having worked as a bank porter in Bank of Ireland, Trimgate Street, for many years. He also worked as a caretaker at the CYWS Hall in Navan and was a founder member of Navan Fishing Club. Both Mr and Mrs Callaghan were life-long members of the Pioneers and were awarded the Fr Cullen Medal in 2000. Gardening was always a great love of Mrs Callaghan"s and she was a regular winner in Navan Tidy Towns garden competition. She was also a keen card player and knitted many jumpers and cardigans which she sent to needy children in Brazil. Deceased is survived by her daughter Joan, sons John, Robert and Michael (Australia), daughter-in-law Maureen, Nancy, Marie and Josie, her ten grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and a wide circle of friends. Her remains were removed to St Mary"s Church, Navan, where the funeral Mass took place on Saturday last, followed by burial afterwards in St Mary"s Cemetery. Mai McCormack, Moynalty The recent death of Mrs Mai McCormack, Druminiskin, Moynalty, Kells, at St Luke"s Hospital, Dublin, at the age of 71, caused great sadness throughout the district. Originally a member of the Butterly family of Reaghstown, Ardee, Mrs McCormack was devoted to her husband and family. She was a keen gardener and loved baking and listening to music. In her youth, she trained as a dressmaker in Dundalk and Newry and then opened a ladies" and children"s dressmaking shop with her sisters in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. After her marriage, she continued dressmaking and was an active member of Newcastle Apostolic Work Society. She was also a lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA). Deceased is survived by her husband, Patsy; sons, Peter, Druminiskin, and John, Dublin; daughters, Catherine, Bailieboro, Co Cavan, and Bridget, Portlaoise; brother, James Butterly, Reaghstown; sisters, Kitty Byrne, Carrickmacross, and Bridgie Drumgoole, Reaghstown; brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. The funeral took place from Newcastle Church, Moynalty, to Moynalty Cemetery. Noreen O"Sullivan, Rathcore The sudden death occurred on 30th January last at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, of Mrs Noreen O"Sullivan (nee Groves), Rathcore, Enfield. Mrs O"Sullivan (83), a native of Killarney, was predeceased by her husband, Patrick (Bob) O"Sullivan, in 1983. Deceased was born and raised in Rusheen, Firies, Killarney, and left her native area for England in 1949, where she married Paddy O"Sullivan. They subsequently returned home to Naas, Co Kildare, and managed a farm. In 1952, they bought their own farm in Rathcore, where they raised their family of five children. Mr O"Sullivan dealt in cows and went to the weekly mart in Castleisland, Co Kerry, with his cattle lorry, supplying local farmers with milking cows. He set up his own dairy and also did some contracting work. Mrs O"Sullivan also milked cows and always had an open door for anyone who arrived hungry. The kettle was always singing and there was always a great welcome for any callers. She loved Kerry and regularly travelled back there a couple of times a year. Mr O"Sullivan passed away in 1983, aged 56 years. Deceased is survived by her daughters, Ms Anne O"Sullivan and Ms Frances O"Sullivan (Kelliher); sons, Kevin, Tony and William; grandchildren, Arlene and Laura O"Sullivan, Andrew O"Sullivan, Switzerland, and Darren and Aimee O"Sullivan, Rathcore; Patrick and Shane Jordan, and sister, Lily Casey, who lives in Killarney. The funeral took place from Jordanstown Church to Jordanstown Cemetery. Harry Thompson, Dundalk & Carlanstown Mr Harry Thompson, who died recently, was a native of Carlanstown, Kells, who ran a successful licensed business at Church Street, Dundalk, for many years. He left his native Meath in the late 1950s to work in the bar and hotel trade. He ran his own bar at Church Street in the town for 20 years from the early 1970s. A keen member of the Vintners" Federation of Ireland, colleagues from the trade formed a guard of honour at his funeral. His remains were removed to St Patrick"s Cathedral, Dundalk, for Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Padraig Keenan, Adm, Church of the Redeemer, assisted by Rev Mark O"Hagan, St Patrick"s. Readings were delivered by his grandchildren, Kyle and Nadine Brennan. Prayers of the Faithful were read by nephews Laurence Smith and Gerard Thompson and grandchildren Danielle Savage, Shannon Savage, Oisin Brennan and Andrew Carroll. Offertery Gifts were presented by grandchildren Chelsey Brennan, Oisin Brennan, Andrew Carroll and Dean Carroll. Music was provided by Michael Connolly. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery, Ravensdale, Dundalk. Mr Thompson was predeceased by his parents, John and Katy Thompson; brother, Eugene, and grandson, Sean. He is survived by his wife, Bridie; daughters, Deirdre Brennan, Newry; Shirley Savage, Dundalk; Louise Thompson, Dundalk, and Teresa Carroll, Dundalk, and eight grandchildren. Patrick Kenny, Oldcastle Mr Patrick (Patsy) Kenny, Millbrook, Oldcastle, who died recently aged 67, was son of the late James and Lily Kenny of Millbrook. He was aged 67 and died on 1st February at Cavan General Hospital. Mr Kenny bore his long illness with courage and dignity. He devoted his life to the land, grooming showing and judging cattle, and was very well known at agricultural shows all around Ireland for his skills and knowledge of preparing cattle for exhibiting at these events. Mr Kenny"s many achievements included winning the All-Ireland Beef Bullock competition on two occasions. Members of the Oldcastle Agricultural Show Society, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, formed a guard of honour at his obsequies as a mark of respect. Throughout his working years he helped many in the farming community, spending the last 30 years working locally with Eddie Galvin, Oldcastle. He also loved music and dancing and enjoyed both traditional and old time music. Mr Kenny will be remembered as a true, loyal gentleman who will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him. He is survived by his brothers, Seamus, Kent, England, Ollie, Kilkenny, Tony, Edenderry, Co Offaly; sisters, Sheila Savage, Albany, New York, USA, Angela Walsh, Oldcastle, Elizabeth Kenny, Oldcastle; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grand nephews, grand nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Brigid"s Church, Oldcastle, to the local cemetery.