Obituaries 14th September 2013

Nuala Ward, Navan

The regretted death occurred on 12th July last of Nuala Ward, Navan, in St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin. Deceased was born to Agnes and Patrick Kirk in 1930 in Dundalk, Co Louth. She married Des, also from Dundalk in 1958, who passed away in 1989.
Nuala had a great interest in sport and was Lady Captain of Royal Tara Golf Club. She and Des met at a tennis club in Dundalk, known locally as the ‘Rowing Club’. She never lost her interest in tennis, with life in her home coming to a standstill for Wimbledon fortnight. She loved the GAA and was an avid Louth supporter. Nuala often spoke of the 1957 final, a match she attended, where Louth became All-Ireland champions. Cards were also one of her hobbies and Nuala regularly played bridge, although no gathering could go by without a highly-competitive after dinner poker session.
Deceased was a wonderful cook and a superb baker. Her home was always open, visitors were welcome and her hospitality was second to none.
Nuala was a constant reader. She loved to travel and spent most of her weekends enjoying family life with her children and grandchildren. She was fortunate to been surrounded by loving and loyal family, friends and neighbours, who were a great source of joy and support. 
She is survived by her family,  Sheila, Peter, Fionnuala and Niamh; brothers, Éamon, Belfast, and Joe, Canada, grandchildren Ross, Cillian, Caoimhe, Michael, Róisín and Owen; sons-in-law, Rory and Seamus and daughter-in-law, Vanessa.
The funeral took place from St Mary’s Church on 15th July, the 55th wedding anniversary of her marriage to Des. Burial followed in St Mary’s Cemetery.

 

Oliver Keogan, Oldcastle

There was widespread sadness following the passing of Oliver Keogan, Fennor, Oldcastle, on 1st August last, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. aged 72, he was a native of Fennor and was son of Terry and Margaret Keogan.
Oliver will be remembered was a quiet unassuming man, and one of life’s gentlemen. He was a builder by trade and one in a long line of generations of Keogan builders. Deceased was equally as skilled as a carpenter. At the funeral ceremony, Fr Ray Kelly remarked that Oliver had been a large part of the restoration project on St Brigid’s church many years ago. At heart, Oliver was a family man devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. He also had a keen interest in sport and particularly the fortunes of the Meath team attending many matches over the years.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila; sons, Ken and Niall; daughter, Michelle; daughter-in-law, Eileen; grandsons, Aaron and Seán; sisters, Maureen, Philomena, Margaret, Veronica, Theresa, Bernadette, Rosaleen, Geraldine and Dolores; brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbours.
The funeral took place from St Brigid’s Church, to Oldcastle Cemetery.

Owen Smyth, Kilbeg and Dublin

The regretted death occurred on 21st August last of Owen Smyth, of Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, at Connolly Memorial Hospital.
Aged 78, he was a native of Kilbeg, Kells, and even though living in Dublin, never forgot his Meath roots and loved following football, never missing a copy of the Meath Chronicle every week.
He is survived by his wife, Isabella Rogers Smyth; son, Eoin; daughter-in-law, Carol; sister, Jane Gargan, grandchildren, Kiernan, Braden, Aoileann, and Arianna, all Trim.
The funeral took place from St Patrick’s Church, Corduff, to Dardistown Cemetery.

 

Gayle Murphy, Kilberry

There was considerable sadness recently at the passing of Gayle Murphy, Rathcoon, Kilberry, Wilkinstown on 15th August, aged 52.
A native of Dublin, Mrs Murphy worked in Penneys, Navan as well as the Oxfam Shop in the town.
She is survived by her husband, Mike; mother, Pauline; father, Des; sisters, Helen and Claire; aunts and uncles; friends, cousins and neighbours.
The funeral Mass took place in Kilberry Church on 20th August.

Kathleen Monahan, Kilcock

The regretted death occurred on 10th August last of Kathleen Monahan, Kilmore Cross, Kilcock at Windfield Nursing Home, Dunboyne, aged 86.
A native of Meath, Mrs Monahan (nee Parsons), was a housewife and much loved mother, who loved horses and gardening.
Mrs Monahon was predeceased by her husband, Kevin, and is survived by her son, Frank; daughters, Angela, Valerie, Joan, Lorraine and Patricia; sisters, Hilda, Dot and Winnie; nieces and nephews; grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
The funeral Mass took place from Agher Church to Glasnevin Cemetery Crematorium on 13th August.

Brian McConville, Stamullen

The regretted death occurred in early May of Brian McConville, Pinewood, Stamullen, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. A native of Portadown, Co Armagh, he was son of the late Bernard and Susan McConville.
Deceased’s occupation was the manufacture of garden sheds, side entrance doors and gates, for over 35 years. He enjoyed this work, which took him all over Meath, Louth and Dublin. Since he was a child, his hobby was bird keeping, and he had 100 canaries which he took all over the country to shows. They took quite a lot of looking after, and when he took home prizes it made it all worth while.
Mr McConville loved football and managed the local football team for some time. He followed the Meath team all over the country and enjoyed every minute of it. Deceased will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Kevin, Irishtown, Kilmoon; daughter, Marina, Greenpark, Dunshaughlin; grandchildren, Ronan, Brian, Patrick, Karl and Kate; sisters, Bridget and Kathleen; daughter-in-law, Jacqui; son-in-law, Michael; brother-in-law, John; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
The funeral Mass took place from St Patrick’s Church, Stamullen, celebrated by Fr Declan Kelly, PP, to St James’ Cemetery, Athboy, where Fr Patrick O’Connor, PP, Athboy officiated.

 

Margaret McCann, Navan

The regretted death occurred on 25th August last of Margaret McCann, Athlumney, Navan, at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, aged 83.
A native of Drogheda, Mrs McCann (nee Kierans) is survived by her husband, Oliver; daughter, Ann Louth; son, Paul; son-in-law, Joe Louth; daughter-in-law, Karen McCann; grandchildren, Mark, Darragh, Tim and Andrew; brothers and sisters; extended family and friends.
The funeral Mass took place from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Drogheda to St Peter’s Cemetery, Drogheda on 27th August.

 

Laurence Dixon, Drumree

The death of Laurence Dixon, Tullameadow, Drumree, at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, on 18th August last, caused widespread sadness.
Aged 70, he was a native of Kiltale. Deceased was an avid follower of GAA, and a keen supporter of the local hurling and football teams.
Mr Dixon is survived by his wife, Eileen; sons, Greg, Damien and Brendan; daughters, Caroline, Sandra, Shirley, Deirdre and Evelyn; grandchildren; and extended family and friends.
The funeral took place from Little Chapel, Kilcock, to Balfeighan Cemetery, Kilcock.