The late Mary Gorman.

Obituaries 2nd august 2014

Mary Gorman, Kilmessan

There was widespread sadness in Kilmessan and surrounding areas following the passing of Mary Gorman, Marshallstown, on 9th July last at St Joseph’s Community Nursing Unit, Trim, aged 87.

Mary was the last surviving member of her generation of a large family having being predeceased by brothers John, Kevin, Paddy, Finian, and Christopher, and sisters Kathleen, and in more recent times Peggy and Terrie. She was renowned as possessing a hive of information, especially on historical events within her beloved parish of Kilmessan, and she had the rare gift of being able to relate and converse on the business of the day to all ages. It was always a sense of amazement to some people how young children would suddenly open up from what might be normal shyness when in Mary’s company.

Deceased spent over thirty years working in the Irish Sweepstake in Dublin, and resided for many years in the Pembroke Road and Ballsbridge area, making many friends along the way. The sons and daughters of some of her former work colleagues kept in touch with her on a regular basis following an early retirement in 1986 when she decided to come home and help out with the family farm with her brother Brian, and sister, Terrie. Tragedy struck two years later when Brian suddenly collapsed and passed away while going about his normal daily chores, with Mary being the first person to come across him. With the help of some of her nephews she carried on looking after affairs and within the past ten years, another retired sister Peggy also came home to live with her until she passed away in 2009. For the past number of years Mary devoted her energies to looking after her only remaining sister, Terrie, who developed Alzheimer’s in 2005, and Mary’s dedication in attending to her needs until her passing in 2011 was much to be admired in the locality, and in St Joseph’s home in Trim, where Terrie spend her final three years, and Mary herself the six months up to her passing on 9th July. She is survived by 26 nieces and nephews and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. The funeral took place on Saturday 11th July in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, Kilmessan followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Anna Frances McDonnell, Oldcastle

There was immense sadness amongst her family, neighbours and friends in the Moylagh and Oldcastle areas following the passing on 22nd June last, of Anna Frances McDonnell, Ballintogher, Oldcastle, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Anna Frances was not afraid of hard work on this earth, running a farm in her early life, lifting heavy cans of milk, driving tractors and school buses.

Whether, it was doing the housework, painting, or gardening, she performed her tasks with the same joy as she got when performing in the pantomimes in Kells in the 1960s. She was a popular member of Kells Macra Na Feirme during that time.

She came from the Madden Family, Kilmainham, and the youngest of fourteen children.

She was very proud of her roots and had a great sense of place and belonging. Educated by the Sisters of Mercy and by her parents, who taught her by example the values and virtues of life.

She married John McDonnell in 1971 and moved to Moylagh. Here she immersed herself in the local community.

She was a founder member of Moylagh ICA and was an active helper in the affairs of the community centre. Anna Frances was born into a farming background and had a keen interest in all things farming and country. She was interested in current affairs, and a firm believer in the importance of education.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, family was very dear to her. Her love and encouragement for them was constant and she was always delighted to see their achievements. She will be missed deeply.

She will never be forgotten and has left many lasting memories for her family. Each of her sons were very proud to have her as their mother, the most caring sincere mother a son could ask for.

She kept a good home and always had a good taste for its appearance. She recognised the importance of the family home and liked the company of her neighbours. She was a keen gardener and had a vast knowledge of plants and flowers and was always trying out new ideas.

Deceased loved to travel and along with her husband, John, they would go to a European destination every year, usually in the Alpine regions.

These trips always resulted in a visit to some garden of merit and many of her plants and flowers were brought back from these places. Her interest in growing fruit and preserving it, as well as making jam, were well known.

In later years however, as her health declined, she turned her energy to art and painting.

This proved to be her lasting legacy, as she has left a huge amount of her work to family and friends. It was a strange irony that in the period leading up to her final week she told many people that she was 'feeling like her old self'.

One of her requests was for a simple funeral, but she asked that clay from the place of her birth in Kilmainham, along with clay from her own garden, be included in her burial.

Anna Frances is survived by her husband, John; sons, Thomas, Sean, Gerard and Brendan; daughter-in-law, Leona; grandchildren Caoimhe and Caolán; sister, Sr Rosemarie, Lucan, and brother Colm, Kilmainham.

Her funeral Mass was in Moylagh on Tuesday 28th June, celebrated by Fr Ray Kelly, assisted by Fr John Hassett, and Fr Dennis Carroll, Esker Parish, Lucan.

One of her requests was for a simple funeral, but she asked that clay from the place of her birth in Kilmainham, along with clay from her own garden, be included in her burial.

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Christina Dolan, Dublin and Batterstown

The death has occurred of Christina Dolan, of Irishtown, Dublin, sister of Brian Smith, Dunboyne, and formerly of Batterstown. She passed away on Saturday, after a short illness, at St Vincent’s Univeristy Hospital. Beloved wife of the late Frank and mother of Fran, Paul, Gerardine, Bernadette and Ann, she is also survived by her brothers, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Her removal is on Wednesday morning 30th July from her home to Church of St Mary, Star of the Sea, Sandymount arriving at 9.50am for 10am Funeral Mass, with burial afterwards in Batterstown.

Fergus Donegan, Kilberry

The death occurred on 1st July last of Fergus Donegan, Kilberry, Navan, peacefully, at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan.

A native of Kilberry and formerly Rathkenny, he is survived by his wife, Patricia; family, David, Derrie, Susan, Anne, Emma and Lorna; seven grandchildren; brother, Pat; sister, Julia; daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Fergus was a dedicated farmer all his working life and loved the land. He was actively involved in Wolfe Tones GAA club and had a keen interest in horseracing and hunting.

His funeral mass took place in St John the Baptist Church, Kilberry, on 4th July followed by burial in Kilberry cemetery.

Fergus Donegan - An Appreciation

The recent death of Fergus Donegan caused much sadness to his family and everyone in the Kilberry and surrounding areas and especially in the Wolfe Tones club. A native of Rathkenny parish, Fergus played football for St Finians’s College, Mullingar, Rathkenny and for a time with Slane.

He moved to Kilberry in the late 1960s. When the Wolfe Tones club was founded in 1975, Fergus started to take an active part in the running of the club.

When the club started under-age hurling in 1977 Fergus became very involved as his sons David and Derry were playing, even though he had no particular experience of hurling himself.

For many years before Fas workers became available to clubs, Fergus and his son David kept all the club pitches mowed at their own expense. Fergus learned how to repair hurls and as a result saved the club a considerable amount of money.

He served the club in various positions including treasurer and trustee. His greatest disappointment was the club’s defeat in the 1993 senior hurling county final by a single point.

Sadly, some time after that Fergus suffered ill-health which unfortunately curtailed his involvement in the day to day activities of the club.

He maintained a keen interest in the club and loved to be kept up to date with what was happening. He always had an encouraging word for players when he attended matches and was very popular with all the players who knew him.

It was a very noticeable aspect of the wake and funeral that so many of the original juvenile teams of the late seventies attended to pay their respects.

Many stories were recounted of trips to matches with Fergus, Seamus Glennon and the late Tom McKeown.

These men instilled a love of hurling in many players some of whom still represent the club today or who are involved in other roles within the club.

Fergus also had a keen interest in horse racing and liked nothing better than an occasional bet. Much of the success of the Wolfe Tones club in both hurling and football in recent years is due in no small way to the selfless dedication of people like Fergus.

The huge crowd at his funeral was a fitting tribute to Fergus for his lifetime of hard work on behalf of his family, community and club. Both the Wolfe Tones and Rathkenny clubs provided a guard of honour at his funeral and were extremely proud to do so.

Both clubs wish to extend their sincere condolences to the Donegan family on their sad loss. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis - May he rest in peace.