Obituaries 20th september 2014

Liam Swan, Skryne

The parish of Skryne and further afield was greatly shocked and saddened following the sudden death of Liam Swan of the well-known local family. Aged 76, he passed away at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, on Sunday 24th August last, having taken ill the previous evening while working at the family grocery and public house at Oberstown.

Deceased was a native of Skryne, and his great loves were his family, gardening and sport, and he was greatly dedicated to his work and the many customers of Swan’s. He was an avid follower of Gaelic football, and was to be seen at Skryne club and Meath county games, and also loved horse racing.

He is survived by his wife Rosaleen (nee Finnegan); daughters, Tara Swan, Navan and Sinead Reilly, Rathkenny; grandchildren, Anna and Fay Reilly; son-in-law, Ed Reilly; sister, Bridie Bannon, Drumree; brothers, James, Skryne, Patsy, Curraha and Frank, Oberstown; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; relatives and many dear friends and customers.

The funeral took place from St Colmcille’s Church, Skryne, to the adjoining cemetery.  

Eddie Kelly, Moynalvey

There was widespread shock and sadness following the passing of Eddie Kelly, Moynalvey, on 17th August last, aged 79. A native of Moynalvey, he was a son of the late John and Alice Kelly.

Deceased attended national school locally and after leaving school worked on the family farm, a lifestyle he loved. He was a friend to all, and a great family man and neighbour.

One of his biggest passions in life was his love for sport, especially Gaelic football, hurling and horse racing.

Eddie was a passionate member of both local GAA clubs, Moynalvey and Kiltale. A fine footballer and hurler in his youth, he won a JHC Medal in 1962 with Moynalvey and also an intermediate championship medal in 1967. When his playing career ended he served as chairman of Moynalvey and at the time of his death was honorary club president.

In later years he was a proud grandfather, watching his grandchildren playing. Eddie was an avid Meath supporter and it was a fitting tribute that a rendition of ‘Beautiful Meath’ was played as his remains left the church at Moynalvey. Meath GAA Co Board extended sympathy to the Kelly family.

Eddie is survived by his wife Maura (nee Donohoe, Trim); family, Kathleen, Alice, Mary and Eileen; sons-in-law, Sean, Julian, PJ, and Gerard; grandchildren, Eamonn, Kevin, Sara, Ciara, Aoibhe, Rachel, Anna, Eimear and Maria; brother Tommy, Rathmoylon; sisters, Maggie Crickley, Moynalvey and Pauline Regan, Galtrim, and extended family and friends.

The funeral took place from the Church of The Nativity, Moynalvey, to the adjoining cemetery.

 

Mary Goodwin, Stackallen

 

The regretted death occurred peacefully on Saturday 16th August on Mary (Babs) Goodwin, at the home of her son, Jackie, daughter-in-law, Sheila and grandsons, Louis and Fearghal, at French Lane, Stackallen, at the age of 92.

Deceased was a member of the McHugh family of Creewood, Slane, and was predeceased by her husband, Louie, of French Lane, in 2000. Babs and Louie were married in 1960.

She was regarded as a very intelligent lady, and a hardworking, dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Babs was a member of the local Rathkenny and Stackallen ICA and drama group, and was part of the Rushwee Altar Society, which she enjoyed immensely. She loved to read and had a great sense of humour, and enjoyed people young and old visiting.

She is survived by her son, Jackie; daughter-in-law, Sheila; grandsons, Louis and Fearghal; sisters, Eithne McHugh, Navan and Josie O’Reilly, Mullagh; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; neighbours and a large circle of friends. She was predeceased by her brothers, Pat Joe and James, and sisters, Kitty and Vera.

The funeral took place from St Patrick’s Church, Rushwee, to the adjoining cemetery, celebrated by Fr John Hogan, PP. 　

Elizabeth Shimamoto, Ballivor and Delaware, USA

The regretted death occurred in America on 12th August last of Elizabeth Shimamoto, Dover, Delaware, USA, formerly Betty Dempsey of Ballivor, on 12th August last. She was born on 31st July 1943, the tenth of thirteen children, in Ballivor.

Deceased attended St Columbanus Primary School, Ballivor and Scoil Mhuire, Trim.

After leaving school she worked briefly in Bray before taking the emigrants trail, first to England and then to Canada at the age of 18.

She worked for the Royal Bank of Canada and while living at Goose Bay, Newfoundland, she met her future husband, Ed Shimamoto, who was in the American Airforce and stationed there.

They got married in Goose Bay in 1966 and after several postings at airforce bases in Germany and the United States, they eventually settled in Dover, Delaware.

Betty and Ed had two children, Brian and Anne, and Betty worked at the Dover Federal Credit Union for 22 years, until her retirement in 2004.

Ed passed away in 2002 and Betty succumbed to cancer after a 20-month battle.

Although she left Ireland over fifty years ago, Betty never forgot her roots and kept in touch with her Irish family and friends.

She came home to Ballivor frequently and always encouraged her family to visit her. She was always interested in everything that happened in her old neighbourhood.

Betty was a very bright, beautiful woman who had a great personality, sense of humour and dignity. She loved to travel, was an avid reader and enjoyed her crossword and Sudoku puzzles. She held on to her Catholic faith which was instilled in her by her parents and was a daily mass goer.

Betty is survived by her son, Brian; daughter, Anne; sisters, Doreen Lynch, Dunsany, and Bridgie Carey, Nova Scotia; brothers, Michael Dempsey, Lionsden, Longwood, Johnny Dempsey, Adelaide, Australia and Gerry Dempsey, Ballivor and a large number of nephews, nieces and wider family.

Her funeral service took place in Dover, Delaware on 22nd August and she will be interred in Arlington Cemetery, Washington DC on 8th October next.

 

Kathleen Coffey, Tankardstown

The death occurred peacefully on Monday 11th August last of Kathleen (Kate) Coffey, Tankardstown, Navan, at her home, aged 80.

Deceased (nee Kennedy) was a native of Bailieboro, and was predeceased by her husband, Patrick (Patsy) in July 2004.

Kate ensured that their home was the centre of family life for her sons and daughters, Gerry, Norman, Keith, Patricia, Pauline, Ann and Sandra; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; and she will be sadly missed by family, friends and neighbours.

The funeral took place from St Ultan’s Church, Bohermeen, to the adjoining cemetery.

Margaret Mulvany, Moynalty

There was widespread regret following the death on 18th August last of Margaret (Baby) Mulvany, Druminiskin, Moynalty, Kells, at the age of 84.

Deceased was a native of Doon, Tierworker, Kells, and was daughter of the late John and Bridget O’Reilly. She was predeceased by her husband, John Mulvany, in November 1997.

Margaret was a long-standing member of Kells and District Horticulture Society, Newcastle Pioneers Association, Newcastle Apostolic Society, and the Moynalty Active Retirement Group, as well as a local knitting club.

She is survived by her sons, John, Gabriel, Raymond, Desmond, Colm and Fergus; brothers, Kevin and Gerry; sisters, Bridie, Lily and Rose; grandchildren; daughters-in-law; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephews; nieces; relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her siblings, Joey, John, Patsy, Teresa and Eugene.

The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Moynalty, to Moynalty Cemetery. The chief celebrant was Fr Pat Mulvany, Blackpool, UK, brother-in-law of the deceased; with Fr Joe McEvoy, PP, Moynalty; Fr MV Daly, Navan; Fr John Cooney, PP, Kilmainhamwood; and Fr Seamus Mulvany, PP, Tubberclair.