Obituaries 25th october 2014
Kathleen McEvoy, Navan
The passing of Kathleen McEvoy of Commons Lane, Navan on 27th September last, was the cause of widespread sadness. Aged 64, she passed away at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, following a bravely fought battle with illness.
Kathleen worked in the family newsagents on Brews Hill for many years with late husband, Frankie, who passed away in 2005. In later years she worked in Tommy Reilly’s newsagents on Market Square, where she loved having a chat to her customers and meeting new people. Kathleen was an active woman and was part of many clubs and societies and played golf in Navan Golf Club, and pitch and putt in Navan Pitch and Putt club, where she also did her time as lady captain and served on the committee for a number of years. Kathleen was a keen card player and played poker in the Pitch and Putt Club every Friday night with her sister and many friends. She played Bridge in Tara Mines Social Club.
Kathleen loved to travel with her close friends and always had her next holiday booked, one of her most recent trip was to Australia and New Zealand to see her son and daughter-in-law. Kathleen will always be remembered as a witty and vibrant person who loved been surrounded by people. She enjoyed life and loved her family dearly. She was a devoted mother, and in recent years, a besotted granny also. Kathleen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren bringing them to football matches, teaching them how to play cards and her grandson how to play pitch and putt. She was a huge follower of Navan O’Mahonys GFC and attended all the matches until her illness. Kathleen died peacefully surrounded by her loving family in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan where she was admitted two days before her passing. She had been cared for by her family at home prior to her untimely passing.
During her wake at her residence people attended from all walks of life, young and old and recalled their own particular story about Kathleen.
A native of Coghalstown, Wilkinstown, she was daughter of Mary and the late Thomas Meehan.
She is survived by her mother, May; sons, Frank, Raymond, and Lorcan; daughters, Sheila, Kate and Aoife; grandchildren, Frankie, Sarah, Leah, Jake and Liam; sisters Ann, Ettie, Rose, Olive; brother, Christopher; son-in-law Brian, daughters-in-law, Jayne and Stacy; sister-in-law, Millie; brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews; long life friends Maura and Maureen and large circle of friends.
The funeral took place from St Mary’s Church Navan, with burial in St Mary’s Cemetery. Fr Jim Lynch, PP, Kentstown, was assisted by Fr Tom O’Mahony, PP, Skryne, and Fr Stephen Kelly, CC, Navan.
Christina Smyth, Athboy
There was widespread regret following the passing on 25th September last of Christina Smyth, Chapel Land, Athboy, and formerly of Clonbarron, Kildalkey, at the Mater Hospital, Dublin.
A native of Delvin, Co Westmeath, she was a member of the Gillick family of Crowenstown and was predeceased by her husband, Peter, in 1972.
Christina devoted her whole life to her family and will be very sadly missed. She is survived by her sons, Peter Smyth, Arklow; Cyril Smyth, Monaghan; daughter, Olive Falsey, Athboy; daughters-in-law, Breda and Marie; son-in-law, Peadar; grandchildren, Damien, Paul and Killian Smyth; David and Robert Smyth; Emma, Karl and Clare Falsey, great-grandchildren; sisters Jane Henry and Marian Mulligan, brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral Mass was concelebrated in St Dympna’s Church, Kildalkey by Fr Oliver Devine, PP, Ballivor/Kildalkey, Fr Martin Cosgrove, PP, Arklow and Bishop Joseph Duffy, retired Bishop of Clogher. The music was provided by St James’ Parish Choir, Athboy. Burial took place afterwards in St Dympna’s cemetery.
Joe McFadden, Gibbstown
There was widespread sadness at the death of Joe McFadden, Gibbstown, following a long illness, on Sunday 28th September last. Formerly of Ranafast, Co Donegal, he moved with his family to Baile Ghib Gaeltacht in 1937.
A native Irish speaker, deceased was raised in Gibbstown, one of 10 children. At the age of 20, he emigrated to England for 10 years. On his return, he joined his four brothers in their farming enterprise. They took tillage land countywide, before purchasing their own lands which they collectively worked, becoming renowned for the quality of their potatoes. Merchants from all over the country were keen to acquire their high quality produce.
Four years ago, Joe realised a life-long dream of visiting his ancestral home in Donegal, the now uninhabited island of Inis Oirthir. Accompanied by his siblings, they made a boat trip to the island, trudging through bog land and high grass to reach their father’s former home. The house was found to be still in good condition, whereupon Joe was delighted to fly the Irish flag, after which he enjoyed a celebratory drink.
Following his retirement from farming, he became an avid gardener. People came from far and near to admire his gardening achievements. As generous as he was skilful, nobody left empty-handed. He later joined Wilkinstown Active Retirement Group and enjoyed many excursions, in particular a Mediterranean cruise.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Cecily and Owen McFadden; brothers, Tadhg, James and Patrick; and sisters, Mary and Sr Catherine. He ie survived by his brothers, Michael and Neil McFadden, Gibbstown; sisters, Bridie Curran, Balsaw, Wilkinstown, and Teresa Murray, Dunshaughlin; nieces, nephews and a wide circle of friends.
The funeral Mass in St Catherine’s Church, Oristown, was celebrated by Fr Padraig Ó Cochlain, cousin of the deceased, assisted by Fr John O’Brien, PP, Oristown; Fr Joe Clavin, PP, Dunshaughlin, and Fr Aidan Murray, SDB, Gloucestershire, with burial in the local cemetery.
Such was Joe’s devotion to the Rosary, his wishes were that all five decades be recited at the graveside while the grave was being filled in, followed by a rendition of the ‘Hills of Donegal’.
Eithne Heasley, Duleek
The regretted death occurred on 27th September last of Eithne Heasley, Mount Hanover, Duleek, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, aged 75.
A native of Bellewstown, deceased (nee Murphy), was wife of Willie Heasley.
She is survived by her husband, Willie; sons, Alan, Donal and William; daughters, Helen, Ann and Carol; sons-in-law, Gary and Patrick; daughters-in-law, Valerie and Janet; grandchildren, Jason, Kayleigh, Emma, Melissa, Chloe, Shannon, Luke, Adam and Cormac; brother and sisters; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral Mass took place from Duleek Church to Good Shepherd Cemetery.