Obituaries 5th July 2014
Elizabeth Walsh Peavoy, Bective and Dublin
Mary Lavin is said to have referred to her three daughters as ‘the three graces’. Sadly, less than 20 years after the Bective short story writer died, the three girls have all passed away, within a short three and a half-year period.
On Monday last, Elizabeth Walsh Peavoy was laid to rest in the family plot at St Mary’s Cemetery, Navan, following a funeral Mass in Corpus Christi Church, Homefarm Road, Dublin.
She died on Friday, following 'a long illness carried with bravery and gaiety while endlessly enjoying the company of family, extended family, neighbours and her wide circle of devoted friends.'
Liz, who was born at Bective in 1945, was predeceased by her older sister, Valdi MacMahon, in November 2010, and by her younger sister, Caroline, in December 2011. She was diagnosed with cancer 11 years ago, and died at St Francis’ Hospice in Raheny.
She was born at Bective House, daughter of Mary Lavin and her husband, William Walsh, a solicitor. The family divided its time between a home at Clyde Road in Ballsbridge, weekending at Bective where Tom Lavin, Mary’s father, was the estate manager.
Following Tom’s passing, the Walshes bought the Abbey Farm on the banks of the Boyne beside Bective Abbey. William Walsh was involved in Fine Gael politics, and was elected to Meath County Council. He was a Fine Gael candidate in Meath in the 1954 Dáil election, but took ill and died suddenly in May of that year.
The widowed writer sent her elder daughters to Kylemore Abbey boarding school for a short period, before they returned to Loreto St Stephen’s Green School in Dublin.
Elizabeth had also attended Pembroke School where Maeve Binchy was a teacher. At this time, her mother concentrated greatly on writing to provide an income.
She lived in a famous mews in Lad Lane in Dublin, which, along with Bective, became a magnet for leading literary, art, academic and political figures of the day, as well as college friends of the family. Liz studied English and Literature at UCD. She went into journalism, initially working with the Irish Farmers’ Journal, and was also a poet.
In 1971, she married journalist Diarmuid Peavoy, and their married life saw them living abroad a great deal as his various postings took them to Mauritius and Brussels.
He worked with the Agency Personal Services Overseas in Mauritius, and here the Peavoys lost a child, Eliza, aged just over a year, to cerebral palsy. In 1981, they returned to Ireland, and in 1983, moved to Brussels, where Diarmuid worked for the Lomé convention as a PR expert. Liz became an after-school teacher.
Liz kept up a constant correspondence with her mother while abroad, constantly encouraging her when she was experiencing less productive times in her writing. They again returned to Dublin in 1992.
Liz set about publishing a selection of her mother’s stories when she returned home.
In the preamble to ‘In a Café’ she wrote: 'Mary had been reshaping certain stories on and off since before I left Ireland in the late seventies, for inclusion in a collected volume. I returned home in September ‘92 to find the residue of this work, not yet in book form. I was invited to step into her shoes. This is the result.'
She said: 'I have never judged her writing from without, nor have I found her reputation to be intimidating. Thus, I bring the enthusiasm of a daughter to the lifetime gifts of a writer, wholly undepleted.'
Mary Lavin died in March 1996, predeceased in December 1990 by her second husband, Michael McDonald Scott. Liz attended many of the events of the Mary Lavin Season organised by Meath County Council in recent years, and also turned on the lights on the Christmas tree in Robinstown in December 2012.
Elizabeth Walsh Peavoy is survived by her family, Eoghan, Adam, and Tadhg; stepfamily, Laoise and Tomás; husband, Diarmuid; grandchildren, Aran and Evelyn; daughter-in-law Vicky; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, in-laws, neighbours and friends.
In a eulogy at Elizabeth’s removal to Corpus Christi Church on Saturday evening, her son, Tadhg described her as one of life’s characters.
'The manner in which Liz went about her life was something to behold. It is said that a tiger doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep. And that phrase rings true for Liz,' he said.
From her early days growing up with her two sisters and her mother, the three girls and one woman would go about their lives in a manner of carefree abandon.
When Mary went to speak at conferences, instead of being left at home, the three daughters would be brought along in tow.
On one occasion Liz decided to spend a few weeks in Italy with her mother instead of sitting exams in UCD - a matter she deemed would be rectifiable later on in the year.
Tadhg continued: 'Later, having met my father, they would travel together around Europe, and Ireland, camping wherever they went, in the manner of hippies back then. Diarmuid always remarked that Liz was the life and soul of everything, wherever she went.
Combined with her unique, carefree nature, Liz was also a hard worker, a grafter, a warrior, Tadhg continued.
Starting out her career as a journalist at the Irish Farmers’ Journal, she morphed into a poet, then a teacher, then worked for the Department of Justice. In each different reincarnation of her career, she approached what she had to do with a fierce determination to do what was right and what was good. And when it came to her biggest challenge of all, fighting cancer, she took the same approach. A never lie down attitude, battling the disease for 11 years, outliving all predictions made on her.
She was told she would only have a year back in 2003, she got 11 years. She was told she only had six months in 2012. She got a year and a half.
'That is what Liz was,' Tadhg continued. 'A woman who loved to be unique and do things her way. And above all a woman who lived to give everything she had. So I say to you all: Keep Liz’s spirit alive. Be unique. Be yourself. Be positive. Live life. Live life.'
Bridie Green, Trim
Sadness was occasioned in early May by the death, at the age of 88 in St Elizabeth’s Nursing Home, Athboy, of Bridie Green, Kells Road, Trim. The eldest of 10 children and a native of Dublin, she came to Trim when she was just 13 years-old to visit her aunt. She never went back to Dublin, save for occasional visits to see her parents.
She worked initially in J&E Smyth’s for a short time. When she was just 16, however, her aunt died, leaving four young children aged from two to six years, and Bridie took over the role as mother figure to the youngsters. She never married and spent her entire life looking after others, be they elderly relatives or neighbours, often helping them with shopping or helping out in any way she could.
Bridie was a talented knitter and helped many local schoolgirls with their knitting homework. She also loved to read the newspaper each day and doing crosswords.
She underwent a heart bypass operation in 1991. Following a fall in November of last year, she went to live with her cousin, Patsy, at Ardsallagh, Navan, where she remained until February of this year when she became a resident of St Elizabeth’s Nursing Home in Athboy. She passed away there on 2nd May.
Deceased is sadly missed by Bridie, Kathleen, Michael and Patsy, as well as her sisters and brothers, Chrisie, Nancy, Noel, and John, extended family and friends. Two more of her sisters, Phyllis and Mary, have died since her passing.
The funeral took place from St Patrick’s Church, Trim, to St Loman’s Cemetery, Trim.
Bridie Kelly, Slane and Kildare
Bridie Kelly, Ballinakill, Carbury, Co Kildare, who died on 4th June last at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, was a member of the White family of Ardcalf, Slane. She was aged 69, and was daughter of the late John and Nan White.
Deceased was mother of the late jockey, Kieran Kelly. Her brother, Michael, played on the All Ireland championship-winning Meath senior football team of 1967.
She is survived by her husband, John Kelly; daughters, Brigid, Ann, Catriona, and Collette; sons, Sean, Peter, Noel; 13 grandchildren; sisters, Lily McGuinness, Sr Ann, MMM; brothers, Jack, Michael, Jim, Joe, Bernard and Pat; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from Holy Trinity Church, Derrinturn, Carbury, to the adjoining cemetery.
Patrick Travers, Ardbraccan
There was widespread shock and sadness following the sudden passing of Patrick (Pat) Travers, Quarry Road, Ardbraccan, Navan on 8th June at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, following a short illness. Aged 75, he was a native of Bohermeen.
Born on 13th March 1939 to Patrick and Kathleen Travers, he was the eldest of seven children. Pat worked in Navan Carpets for 40 years, retiring in 2002. He was well thought of by work colleagues and friends and was renowned for his knowledge on many topics. He remained close friends with many of his former colleagues up to his sudden passing.
Pat Travers’ greatest contribution and achievement within the community was when under his guidance and leadership, Bohermeen Community Centre was established in 1984.
He was chairman for 10 years, its longest serving chairman, and one of his fondest memories was welcoming President Patrick Hillery for the official opening.
Deceased was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, celebrating 50 years of marriage to Angela on 5th February last. He gave both his love and his time freely to his family, and particularly loved and encouraged family gatherings. He was most happy when surrounded by his grandchildren and was a leading example of a family man.
Pat spent over sixty years going to Meath matches all over the country, with family members. He loved his garden and planted a tree for each grandchild when born, caring and nurturing these as he did his family.
He is survived by his wife, Angela; daughters, Geraldine, Gráinne, Siobhán, and Fiona; grandchildren, Brad, Conrad, Cian, Aisling, Aoibheann, Éanán, Caoimhe and Rhys; brothers, Christy and Joseph; sisters, Theresa and Mary; sons-in-law; brothers-in-law; sister-in-law; nephews; nieces; relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Oliver; sister, Margo; and in 2005 by his daughter, Deirdre.
His funeral procession paused outside his beloved community centre with representatives from the centre providing a guard of honour to St Ultan’s Church. The funeral took place from St Ultan’s Church to the adjoining cemetery, where burial concluded with a rendition of ‘The Old Bog Road’.
Rose Farrelly, Kilmainham
The passing of Rose Farrelly (nee Cleary), Kilmainham, Kells, at Millbury Hursing Home, Navan, on 19th June last, was the source of widespread sadness. Aged 84, she was a native of Ballina, Killucan, Co Westmeath, and was married to Frank (Francie) Farrelly, who died in December 1981.
Deceased was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She is survived by her family, Annette, Jackie, Eddie, Francis, Thomas, Patrick, Martin, Paul, and Anthony; grandchildren, great grandchildren, daughters-in-law; sons-in-law; sister, Bridget; brothers, Brendan and Paddy; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from St Colmcille’s Church, Kells, to St Colmcille’s Cemetery.
Des Rogers, Bohermeen
There was great sadness following the peaceful passing at his residence of Des Rogers, Neilstown, Bohermeen, Navan, on 6th June last, aged 77. He ran a well-known coach hire and sales business, providing transport and tours throughout Ireland and England.
Son of the famous Mattie ‘Buller’ and Bridget Rogers, he played underage football with the great De La Salle teams from 1948 to 1954, and held two championship medals at every underage grade. He played for Boyerstown GFC in 1954 and ‘55, then departed to Liverpool where he trained to be a bus driver with the Ribble Company.
In Liverpool, he married Vera Reynolds, and they had their first two children, Dessie Jnr and Michelle, before moving back to live in Ardbraccan, setting up the coach business. He worked closely with the health board, Meath GAA and Meath pilgrims, providing transport services over a long period.
Dessie and Vera went on to have three daughters while in Ardbraccan, Deirdre, Catriona and Fiona.
On his return from England, he re-ignited his Gaelic football playing with Bohermeen GFC and was on the dual championship winning team of 1965, alongside his brothers, Michael and Tommy. He later played with Dunderry.
In 1976, the family moved to the ‘New Line’ at Neilstown, Bohermeen, where Des enjoyed his neighbours and friends, spending many hours in his beloved shed on various projects, valeting cars, converting vehicles to camper vans, and sometimes trying to fix the unfixable.
He was a very good, kind and humorous man, and enjoyed playing the accordion, boating and fishing, and his greatest pastime, spending time on the bogs.
He enjoyed the occasional race meeting and League of Ireland soccer matches when his grandson, Gary, was playing. He adored his grandchildren.
Predeceased by his wife, Vera, in 1991, he is survived by his partner, Betty; son, Dessie, Allenstown, Kells; daughters, Michelle McCormack, Bellews Bridge Road, Dundalk; Deirdre Parke, The Park, Athlumney Wood, Navan; Catriona Murray, Moonehall Rise, Ardee; Fiona Boland, The Drive, Athlumney, Navan; brothers, Brendan, Matty, Michael, Tommy; sisters, Aggie, Ollie, Lily and Bridget; daughter-in-law, Breege; sons-in-law, Paul and Andy; grandchildren, Gary, Keith, Lynsey, Niamh, Liam, Letitia, Janean, Clodagh, Aoife, Maeve, Chloe and Kian; and six great grandchildren.
The funeral took place from Boyerstown Church to the adjoining cemetery.