Obituaries 20-04-2013
Dinny Feeney, Dunderry
The tragic death of Mr Dinny Feeney, Meadstown, Dunderry, on Easter Monday, caused widespread shock and sadness across the county’s farming, hunting and sporting communities, and amongst his own family, neighbours and friends. Mr Feeney, husband of Niamh, and father of Blathnaid, Thomas and Siobhan, was aged 53, and was a dairy farmer at Meadstown.
Just two days before his passing, he and Niamh had taken part in the Dunsany GFC charity cycle event, as like many others, he had taken up the sport in recent years. He was involved with Bohermeen Cycling Club. Mr Feeney also enjoyed a different type of saddle, and was a keen horseman, hunting with local hunts including the Meath Hounds and the Ward Union Staghounds. In his earlier years, he had played Gaelic football with Dunderry, and is remembered as a decent corner back. He also took part in tug-of-wars, and was part of a trip to Jersey on a team in 1977.
Dinny Feeney was a founding member of the Dunderry Fair, the local group which has raised tens of thousands for charity through its annual fair day, and was also involved with Scurlogstown Olympiad. He was a member of the Boyne Valley farmers’ discussion group.
Son of Tom and the late Kathleen Feeney, he farmed with his parents at Meadstown, taking over the farm business about 15 years ago. He was an exceptional farmer and a great neighbour, always willing to lend a hand where and when needed.
Speaking at his funeral Mass in Dunderry, his friend, Dr Patrick Wall, Associate Professor of Public Health at UCD, said that Dinny was first and foremost a family man, so proud of Niamh and his children.
“I remember one time chatting to him about the job of being a dairy farmer and what were the best bits,” Dr Wall said. “He never mentioned anything about cows. He said there wasn’t a day that the three of you came home from primary or secondary school that he wasn’t around the farm, or somewhere close by, and he said ‘how many dads can say that and what value would you put on it?’
Dr Wall said that there was no better family man, friend and neighbour than Dinny Feeney and if you were in bother and needed help, he was never found wanting.
“If you called on Dinny, any time, he would down tools and come in for the tea and hold court at the table, (any excuse to stop working!). He had a great capacity to enjoy himself and to cheer up others and he loved a bit of gallery. We all remember his mischievous smile, notorious wit, and his cheeky grin!
“He was a great man to tell a story and often as much crack was had recounting about the original event than on the event itself, which often got bigger, and better, with the telling. Whether it was about the GAA, the Dunderry Fair, or a trip to the mart, the stories were legend.”
Dr Wall said that there is so much we don’t know.
“We are all asking the question ‘Why?’ We all saw Dinny’s outward smile - but not some inward anguish. Like all farmers, Dinny was worried about the scarcity of feed, the price of meal, the lack of grass and the wet ground but these same issues are worries in every farmer’s house at this time of the year.”
He said Dinny Feeney’s death cannot be in vain and we all have to learn some lessons and leave the church with another point of view.
“We are all often too busy doing things that don’t really matter, to make time for our friends. In these challenging times in Ireland, many people are worried, and many people are hurting, but your health is your most important asset and your mental health is more important that your physical health. We often take more care of our cars than we do of our health. People are far more important than things - and issues that we think are major, pale into insignificance on a day like today.”
Dr Wall said that presently in Ireland, we are surrounded by bad news and negativity.
“So we have got to mind each other. Do you ever take the time for the people who are special to you, to tell them that they are special?” he asked. “Do you ever take time to recharge your own batteries so that you too don’t become vulnerable, but also so you have the energy to lift those around you who need help.”
Pat Wall said that Dinny Feeney left behind a great family.
“No better legacy could a man leave and they will do you proud. Your many friends will support and mind them for you in their journey ahead.”
He is survived by Niamh (nee Tormey, Tara); Blathnaid, Thomas and Siobhan; his father Tom; brothers Tommy, Dunderry and PJ, Boston; sisters Anne Callaghan, Boyerstown and Olive Martyn, Dunderry, uncles, aunts, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place on Friday 5th April, from the Church of the Assumption, Dunderry, to the local cemetery.
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PJ Hynes, Moynalty
There was widespread regret following the death took on 23rd March last of Mr PJ Hynes, Moynalty Kells, aged 68.
After many years working in Dublin, deceased returned to Moynalty to a community where he had many great friends and neighbours.
Mr Hynes had a variety of interests, especially music, and took great pleasure in playing the accordion. He also enjoyed playing cards. He was particularly gifted in all things mechanical and had a great love of vintage vehicles.
Very much a family man, deceased took a great interest in his children and grandchildren, and will be sadly missed by all who loved and knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy; son, Peter; daughters, Ann, Carol, and Sandra; grandchildren, Ciara, James, Sean, John and Sarah; sons-in-law; mother-in-law; brothers; sisters; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; extended family; neighbours and friends.
The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Moynalty, to the local cemetery, celebrated by Fr Joe McEvoy, PP, Moynalty.
A months memory Mass will take place in the Church of the Assumption, Moynalty on Saturday 20th April at 8.15pm.
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Margaret Baker, Trim
There was considerable sadness following the death on 12th March last of Mrs Margaret (Madge) Baker, Avondale Drive, Trim.
Mrs Baker, a native of Westport, Co Mayo, passed away in Beaumont Hospital, aged 84.
Born Margaret McManus, she lived in Mayo until she was eight, when she moved to Skyrne. Her late husband, Gerry Baker, died in 1977. Deceased loved her garden and could be relied on by her family and friends to have an open, welcoming home.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Moran and Jackie McCullagh; grandchildren, Stephen, Ciara, Heather, Thomas, Rachel, Callum and Luke; sisters, Philomena and Anne; sons-in-law, John and Iain; brother-in-law, Leo O'Reilly; sister-in-law, Mary Tevlin; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from St Patrick’s Church, Trim, to St Loman’s Cemetery.
Eric John Walters,
Ratoath
The death took place on 25th March last of Mr Eric John Walters, in the exceptional love and care of the Silver Stream Nursing Home, Ratoath. A native of Dublin and an accomplished musician, he had a colourful life playing in various bands, working as an aircraft technician and enjoying hobbies such as angling, in which he had a keen interest.
Deceased is survived by his brothers, Arthur and Ken Walters; sister, Vera Walters; sister-in-law, Pat Walters; nephews and nieces, Mark, Dave and Lyndsey, and the staff and residents of Silver Stream.
The funeral service took place in the Silver Stream Chapel on 27th March, followed by burial in the family plot at Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin.
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James Thornton, Moynalvey
The regretted death took place on 2nd February last of Mr James (Jim) Thornton, at his home, Ballygortha, Summerhill, at the age of 84. A farmer, deceased loved music and supported and took part in all local activites. He was a member of the local Summerhill active retirement group, the local history group and also sang in the church choir.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Francis and James; daughter, Elizabeth; six grandchildren; daughters-in-law, Veronica and Susan; brother, Sean; brothers- and sisters-in-law; nephews; nieces and a large circle of friends and neighbours.
The funeral Mass took place from Moynalvey Church to the adjoining cemetery.
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Katie Doyle, Ballivor
The regretted death occurred on 19th March last at her home of Mrs Katie Doyle, Mullingar Road, Ballivor, at the age of 91.
A native of Ballivor, Mrs Doyle (nee Keegan) was married to PaJoe Doyle, who died in 1992.
She is survived by her daughters, Bernie and Marie; son, Paddy; sons-in-law; daughter-in-law; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from St Columbanus’ Church, Ballivor, to the local cemetery.