The late Patsy Hegarty.

Obituaries 9th November 2013

Patricia Hegarty, Navan

The funeral took place in Navan of Patricia (Patsy) Hegarty, St Mary’s Park, Navan, who was a member of Meath County Council from 1991 to 1999.
Patricia, who had been in ill health for some time, died peacefully at her home on Saturday. Formerly of Ballindaggin, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, she was married to Michael Hegarty.
Speaking at her funeral Mass in St Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle on Monday, Fr Stephen Kelly, CC, Navan, said that Patsy’s home was always a welcoming one, where anybody could drop in for a cup of tea and share their problems. Her interest in her neighbours, residents and community organisations saw here elected to Meath County Council as an independent candidate in the local elections of 1991.
During the term of that council, she was approached by Fianna Fail, and ran for them in the 1994 urban council elections, joining the Navan cumann.
Patricia took her seat with Fianna Fail members in the county council chamber in 1994, and issued a statement saying that she had endeavoured since her election to represent her constituents individually and collectively on a wide variety of problems and issues. She found that by joining a party, an individual voice can be made much stronger by having party colleagues, she stated.
The efforts of the then Fianna Fail leader and Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, to achieve peace in the north had also influenced her decision.
Her decision to support Michael Lynch for council chair a year earlier saw the end of a ‘rainbow coalition’ pact with Fine Gael, Labour and Independents, when, along with Christy Gorman, she defected from the pact. When the 1999 local elections came about, Patricia Hegarty decided she would not be contesting.
Battling with illness for eight years, Patricia suffered the loss of her son, John, in May 2012.
Deceased is survived by her husband, Michael; daughters, Anne and Catherine; sons, Pat and Thomas; mother, Elizabeth; grandchildren; brothers, sisters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and a large circle of friends.
The funeral took place from St Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle, to St Mary’s Cemetery Navan. The attendance included the cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr John V Farrelly, as well as the Meath County Manager, Jackie Maguire, and Director of Services, Des Foley, as well as former council colleagues. Tributes were paid to Patricia Hegarty at Monday’s meeting of Meath County Council. 

Mella Everard, Ratoath

The community of Ratoath lost one of its most popular members with the passing on 18th October last of Mella Everard, Glascarn Lane, at her home.
Aged 78, she was a member of the Ryan family and a native of Ratoath, and was married to Tommy Everard who died in April 2006.
She worked hard all her life and struggled to cope with the tragic death of her 23 year-old son, Thomas, in the Zeebrugge ferry disaster in 1987, but in latter years, embraced her new role as ‘nana’ to her beloved grandchildren. She was predeceased by daughter, Deborah, in 1973.
She is survived by her sons, Paul, Glascarn Lane; Martin, Rathfeigh, Tara, James, Glascarn Lane; daughters, Mary, Glascarn Lane, Ann Maguire, Riverstown, Dundalk, Co Louth, and Siobhan, Glascarn Lane; sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
The funeral Mass, celebrated by Fr Gerry Stuart, took place in the Holy Trinity Church, Ratoath, followed by burial in the local cemetery.

 

Bridie Kerrane, Navan

The death of Bridie Kerrane, Beechmount, Navan, following a recently diagnosed illness brought great sadness and shock to her family, friends and all who knew her. Bridie passed away at her home in Beechmount on Friday 11th October, with her family by her bedside.
Aged 65, Bridie was originally from Tralee, Co Kerry but moved to London in her late teens where she met Liam Kerrane. They married in 1969 and returned to Ireland over 33 years ago, settling in Navan. Bridie was a wonderful wife and mother, completely devoted to her four children and seven grandchildren.
Deceased loved life and was always on the go. She was brilliant company and had a great fondness for music and dancing. Having taken up golf several years ago, she became a member of Navan Golf Club, where she truly enjoyed the hours spent on the golf course. She was a keen gardener and cherished the time spent in her lovely garden. Bridie was a lifelong member of Navan O’Mahonys.
Always a very stylish lady, Bridie was incredibly kind and was always willing to help others. She worked in St Mary’s Convent, Athlumney, where she became a close friend to all the sisters who resided there. Her strong devotion to her faith provided her with comfort throughout her life, especially during her brief but difficult battle with illness.
She will be greatly missed by her husband, Liam; sons, Owen, Liam and Brian; daughter, Sheila; grandchildren, Cassie, Keri, Ava, Billy, Sean, Lucy and Luke; sister, Margaret; brother, Brian; son-in-law, James; daughter-in-law, Anthea and Tania; her friends, especially her sister-in-law Brid; neighbours and the sisters in Athlumney.
The funeral took place from St Mary’s Church, Navan, to Old Kilcarne cemetery.

Cepta Nicholson, Navan

The regretted death occurred on 16th October last of Cepta Nicholson, Commons Road, Navan, at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan. A native of Kilmainham, Kells, she was daughter of the late Sarah and John Browne and was predeceased by her husbands, Johnny McMullen and Phil Nicholson.
Cepta enjoyed spending time with family, and with many friends. She had a great sense of humour and loved to cook, and making tea for her many visitors. Deceased loved style and always looked her best. She had a great devotion to her faith. Cepta will be sadly missed, and fondly remembered.
Removal took place from St Joseph’s Chapel of Rest, Johnstown, to St Mary’s Church for Funeral Mass celebrated by Fr Declan Hurley, Adm, Navan. Burial followed in St Colmcille’s Cemetery, Kells.

Denis Holland, Fordstown

The death at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, of Denis Holland, Girley, Fordstown, Navan, on 16th October last, was the source of widespread regret. Aged 77, deceased was a native of Mallow, Co Cork, and was predeceased in July 1991 by his wife, May.
He is survived by his daughter, Bernie Holland Nugent; son, Declan Holland; son-in-law, Derek Nugent; sisters, and extended family.
The funeral took place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Girley, with burial afterwards in Girley Cemetery.

 

Ellen de Courcey, Slane

The family, friends and neighbours of Ellen (Nellie) de Courcey, Creewood, Slane, were shocked by her sudden death on Sunday 13th October at the Mater Hospital, Dublin after a short illness. Nellie, aged 79, was a native of Grangegreeth, Collen and was a daughter of the late Patrick and Margaret Carpenter. She worked as a housekeeper and cook for various families before her marriage to Andrew (Andy) in January in 1964. They set up home in Creewood, where they ran the family farm, and raised a family of three sons and one daughter.
Nellie was a dedicated homemaker who cherished her family and enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by her family in her home. Sadly, her husband Andy passed away in October 2010, She was also predeceased by her brother, John, in April 2011.
Deceased is survived by her sons, Andrew, Patrick and Richard; daughter, Anne; daughter-in-law, Mary; son-in-law, Tom; grandchildren, Aidan, Aoife and Emily; brothers, Pat, Ardee, Fr Matt, China; sisters, Bridie Arnold, Eastboune, England and Peggy Byrne, Ardee; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral Mass was celebrated by Nellie’s brother, Fr Matt Carpenter, in Grangegeeth Church on 16th October with burial afterwards in Killary cemetery.

 

James McCullagh, Navan

The regretted death occurred at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, on 21st October last of James McCullagh, Mornington Green, Trim, and formerly of Gainstown, Navan, aged 58.
Deceased was a life-loving inoffensive man, who lived for his daughter, Megan. He was a football fan and an avid supporter of the Meath team. He was a keen gardener, and as a music lover he was a massive fan of Elvis.
Predeceased by his wife, Margaret, in 2009, James is survived by his daughter, Megan; twin brother, Brian, Navan; sisters Brenda Brennan, Mullagh, and Kathleen Cregan, Beechmount, Navan; brothers-in-law, Tommy Brennan and Jack Cregan; sister-in-law, Gay McCullagh, relatives, neighbours and friends.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Mary’s Church, followed by burial in St Mary’s Cemetery, Navan.