Obituaries 07-04-2012

The regretted death occurred on 12th March last of Mrs Kathleen Mooney, (nee Markey), Grangegeeth, Slane, aged 81, at the home of her sister, Phyllis Doggett. Originally from Ladyrath, Rathkenny, she was predeceased by her husband, Stephen, in 1980. Deceased worked in Rathkenny Post Office, before moving to Dublin in the late 1940s. While there she met her husband, Stephen, and married him in 1953 in Donnybrook Church. She worked in the Swedish and German embassies before retiring to Grangegeeth in 1994. Mrs Mooney is survived by her son, Des; sister, Phyllis Doggett; grandchildren, Kris and Jenny; daughter-in-law Annette, nephews, Gerard Doggett, and Val and Hugh Markey. The funeral Mass took place at St Brigid's, Grangegeeth, concelebrated by Fr John Hogan and Fr Joe Deegan. A slow air, 'Blind Mary' was performed in the church by Gerard Doggett. The burial took place to Rathkenny, also celebrated with the slow air 'An Chulainn'. A month's memory Mass will take place on Sunday 8th April at 10am in St Brigid's Church, Grangegeeth. ____________________________________________________________ Tom Duignan, Navan Mr Tom Duignan, Donaghpatrick, Navan, who died last week, was the last surviving founder member of Navan O'Mahony's Gaelic Football Club in Navan. Aged 86, he passed away at his residence on Wednesday of last week. Deceased was one of a family of eight of the late Tom and Brigid Nevin and was from Nevinstown, Navan. He worked for decades at Collier's Butchers on Market Square, Navan, and also farmed at Donaghpatrick. In the late 1940s, footballin Navan had reached rock bottom level, before an impromptu meeting was held in the house of Peter Hughes in Rathaldron outside the town, according to the Navan O'Mahony's 1984 GAA centenary publication. Nine men - Jack Callaghan, Paddy Cahill, Jackie Carroll, Eddie Duignan, Tom Duignan, Benny Gartland, Peter Hughes, Terry O'Dea and Patsy Reilly - attended, and then 11 were present at the first AGM in the old AOH Hall, Watergate Street on 28th October, 1948. Terry O'Dea was the first chairman of the O'Mahonys club with Jack Callaghan vice-chairman, Jackie Carroll secretary, Thomas Deery treasurer and James O'Rourke honorary president. The founder members were not deterred by the small turn-out for the first meeting in the town and their efforts were rewarded when the Junior Football Championship was annexed in 1949 with a 2-3 to 1-4 final victory over Drumree at Trim. Tom Duignan was left full-back on that trend-setting team and he was a selector when O'Mahonys won the SFC title for the first time in 1953, captained by Tony McCormack, defeating Trim in the final played at Pairc Tailteann. He was also a selector during the SFC five-in-a-row sequence of success from 1957 to '63 and was also a club delegate to the County Board. Tom served as the Navan club's vice-chairman for five successive years from 1954 to '58, under Ned Giles for two years and then under Peter McDermott for three terms. He returned to the position for one year in 1965 when Brendan Cahill was in the chair. Past and present members of Navan O'Mahonys turned out to bid Tom Duignan a final farewell at his funeral in Navan on Friday. He is survived by his wife Mary (nee Doyle); son, Gerry; daughter, Sinead; grandchildren TJ, Grace and Blaithin; daughter-in-law, Lorraine; son-in-law, Justin; brothers, Joe (USA) and Michael (Duleek); sister, Mary O'Brien, Shankill; nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church to St Mary's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Kitty Sheils, Lobinstown There was widespread sadness following the death of Mrs Kitty Sheils, Lobinstown, Navan on 16th March last. In her 89th year, she was a member of the McHugh family, Creewood, Slane and was predeceased by her husband, Patsy, in 1987 and her brothers, James and Patjoe. During her 56 years in Lobinstown, she lived a happy fulfilled life caring for her family, tending her garden and enjoying life's simple pleasures. She was a great neighbour, a friend always available to listen to anyone in need and had a great ability to connect with people on a one to one basis. Like her late husband Patsy, she was a great supporter of Syddan GFC and together they travelled to matches throughout the county. They witnessed Syddan win the Keegan Cup was on the eve of their wedding in 1956, the club's only time to achieve such a feat. Mrs Sheils is survived by her sons, Pat, Collon, and Thomas, Lobinstown; daughters, Margaret Judge, Lily Hayden, Mary Culhane, Dublin; daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sisters Babs Goodwin, Stackallen, Vera O'Hare, Dunderk, Josie O'Reilly, Mullagh, Ettie McHugh, Navan, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Holy Cross, Lobinstown, celebrated by Fr Michael Sheerin, PP, who spoke of Mrs Sheil's profound faith and love of her family. Burial took place in the adjoining cemetery. The month's memory Mass will take place on Sunday 15th April at 10.30am in the Church of the Holy Cross, Lobinstown. _____________________________________________________________ Martin Landers, Navan Mr Martin Landers, Gainstown, Navan, who died on 9th March last at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, was chairman of the Meath branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association, and had been involved in many other local organisations and clubs. Aged 61, he was a native of Lissycasey, Co Clare, and grew up in Foxford, Co Mayo. He was a son of the late Michael and Mary Landers. Deceased lived in Navan for over 40 years and worked for more than 25 years in Navan Carpets. He was an active member of the community, spending many years as treasurer of the Navan Pitch and Putt Club. He also worked tirelessly with Navan St Vincent De Paul until his disability meant he could no longer do so. Mr Landers had a great interest in sport, travelling to many rugby and soccer matches. He also spent many Sundays in Croke Park. Suffering from MD, he spent his later years on crutches or in a wheelchair. He joined the local wheelchair association, eventually becoming its chairman. He loved a good chat and could remember things from times past that others had forgotten. He also liked to read and had a wonderful mind. He was a well known figure at his local church and also attending the monthly Padre Pio Masses. He will be remembered as a wonderful son, brother and uncle and is survived by his brother, Michael Landers, Navan; sister, Marian Reilly, Navan; sister-in-law Mary Landers; brother-in-law, Jim Reilly; nephews, Brian Reilly, Navan, Paul Reilly, Trim, David Reilly, Bohermeen, Gerard Reilly, Navan; niece, Anne Marie Gillespie, Longford; grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. The funeral Mass took place in St Mary's Church, Navan and he was buried in St Mary's Cemetery. The month's mind Mass is at 10am on Sunday 8th April in St Oliver's Church, Navan.