Recent deaths 24-10-09

Dunshaughlin came to a standstill for the recent funeral of Mrs Marie Naughton, who died peacefully at her residence at Bonestown on 23rd September last, aged 70. Mrs Naughton was a daughter of the late Jeremiah and Lil O'Sullivan of Bonestown, and was actively involved in parish and community activities throughout her life. Wife of Pat Naughton, deceased effortlessly combined family life with her community activities, and even in her final illness continued to dedicate herself to her family as well as community. Prior to Confirmation ceremonies she had visited the local schools to talk about the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) to pupils before the ceremonies. The PTAA was just one group with which she was involved over the decades. Mrs Naughton is perhaps best known for her association with the local choral and musical societies, and church choir. She was the first PRO of Dunshaughlin Choral Society in the early 1970s, and for thirty years was an integral part of the society. With Roisin de Blacam and Phil Sheehy, she set up the Junior Choral Society. Of course, these societies and their productions needed a venue, and out of them came the St Patrick's Hall Committee, which Mrs Naughton instigated and which became responsible for the restoration and maintenance of the old village hall. When her family got to school going age, deceased became involved in the parents' association and boards of management at St Seachnall's NS. A lasting monument that will stand to Mrs Naughton is Dunshaughlin Community Centre, which she campaigned and collected for over many years, initially on a sub committee of Dunshaughlin Community Council and later when she reformed, with similar minded people, a dedicated fundraising committee. The opening of the centre by an old family friend, President Mary McAleese, was a very proud moment for Mrs Naughton. The centre closed as a mark of respect for her funeral. Deceased was very involved in Church work, with the altar society, choir, organising readers' rotas, and as a minister of the Eucharist and Word. She was awarded the Fr Cullen Medal for her work with the PTAA. Mrs Naughton took great pride in Dunshaughlin and in more recent years became involved in the Tidy Towns effort. As a member of a local prayer group in the 1980s, she became friendly with Lagore neighbour Mary McAleese and her family, a friendship which was to endure, and canvassed for Mrs McAleese in Dublin when she first ran for political office in the 1980s. In 1997, Marie Naughton was one of the special guests at the election counts and inauguration events in Dublin Castle, and was there to welcome Mrs McAleese back to Dunshaughlin on her first official engagement as President. The McAleeses were amongst those who attended Mrs Naughton's wake at Bonestown, from where she was moved to the Church of Ss Seachnall and Patrick for the funeral Mass. Mrs Naughton was the backbone of her husband Pat's motor mechanic business, and at one stage in recent years took part in the business and secretarial course in Dunshaughlin Community College to update her administration skills. As well as looking after her own family, she was generous in her time and care to extended family members, and thought nothing of doing a good deed, never expecting anything in return, even when she herself was in ill health. She continued to have a positive get-up-and-go outlook over the past two years. Deceased is survived by her husband, Pat; daughters, Marion Edwards, Kathleen Naughton, Evelyn Cribbin; son, Colm; sons-in-law, David Edwards and Derek Cribbin; daughter-in-law, Anna; grandchildren, Cian and Ronan Edwards, Luke Naughton and Cillian and Eabha Cribbin; sisters, Phyllis Smith, Lilian Summerville, Eileen Clarke, Doreen Naughton; brothers, John, Jerry, Joseph, Donal and Patrick O'Sullivan; and other relatives and friends. Mrs Naughton was predeceased by son, Diarmuid; and brothers Br Damien (Morty) and Brian. The funeral took place from Dunshaughlin Church to the local cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place on Friday night, 23rd October, at 8pm in Dunshaughlin. ______________________________________________________________ Martin Smith, Navan Navan and surrounds learned with shock on Monday of the death of Martin Smith, the chimney sweep and boiler serviceman well-known for his involvement in local community and GAA activities. Mr Smith passed away suddenly at his home on Monday morning, aged 60. A staunch Navan O'Mahonys supporter, he had been in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday to see the senior football replay against Wolfe Tones, and later in the day brought family members on a trip to the beach. His daughter, Tracy, passed away only last June. In his younger days, he played football with Killallon and was a member of their 1966 side beaten by Summerhill in the junior championship. Later, he became involved with both football and hurling in Navan O'Mahonys, and was a selector on the club's teams that won senior hurling championships in the mid 1980s. He regularly sponsored the club's senior hurler of the year award. Mr Smith was a faithful supporter of the Meath football team, and could be seen hanging O'Mahonys or Meath buntings and colours up around the town. Deceased was chairman of Meath River and Rescue and was involved in many recoveries from the river Boyne, returning the remains of missing people to their families, and was also involved in many fundraising initiatives. In recent years, he was associated with Scurlogstown Olympiad, and was also involved in Fine Gael. He will be remembered as a very generous man to family and friends. A native of Balrath, Kells, he lived at Troytown Heights in Navan. Mr Smith was predeceased by his wife, Teresa, in 2001, and daughter Tracy. He is survived by his sons, Derek and Alan; daughter, Lisa; grandchildren, Casey, Eva and Lauren-Tracy; son-in-law, John Kenny; daughters-in-law, Mairead and Marie; sister, Fidelis; brothers, Noel and Kevin; and many other relatives and friends. Mr Smith's remains are reposing at his home in Troytown Heights and will be removed to the Church of the Assumption, Beauparc, at 6pm, arriving at 7pm this evening (Wednesday). The funeral Mass takes place tomorrow (Thursday) at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ Patrick Brady, Navan The death occurred at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, on 6th October last, of Mr Patrick (Patsy) Brady, Simonstown, Navan, at the age of 72. A native of Simonstown, deceased was a farmer and chairmaker. Mr Brady is survived by his wife, Rita; family, Elizabeth, Ann, Raymond, Colette and Brendan; brother, Hugh; sons-in-law, Leo, Derek and Joe; daughters-in-law, Caitriona and Claire; 14 grandchildren; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Oliver's Church, Blackcastle, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Madeleine Clarke, Navan The regretted death occurred on 9th October last of Ms Madeleine Clarke, late of Townview, Navan, at Gormanston Wood Nursing Home, in her 93rd year. Born in 1917, deceased was the youngest child of Peter Clarke, formerly of Trimgate Street, a Pierce O'Mahony's medal holder from the first All-Ireland football final played in Croke Park in 1896 and the man who broke Aintree Grand National winner, Troytown; and his wife Claire (Keappock), formerly of Watergate Street and Claremount House, Commons Road. She grew up in Townview and never lost her affection for Navan or the Royal County in succeeding years. Ms Clarke enjoyed a long and rewarding life, during which her caring skills were brought to the fore as she successively nursed parents and siblings alike. She was predeceased by her siblings, sisters, Eileen Forde, Nell Magee, Millie Crinon and Adrienne Clarke; and infant brothers Peter and Thomas. Various members of this family joined her in their latter years as she established homes in Leeson Park, Monkstown, Dun Laoghaire and Bray, before finally settling in Sandycove, Co Dublin, convenient to the Church and her favourite walks through Dalkey and along Dun Laoghaire pier. An elegant lady, Ms Clarke was a creative early exponent of fashion and design, working at different times with Marjorie Boland on Grafton Street, Paisleys in Rathmines and Arnotts department store in the city centre. A keen ballroom dancer in her younger years, she was also a knowledgeable sporting enthusiast, playing both golf and tennis to a competitive standard. Ms Clarke later became a fan of what Sky Sports could offer her from the armchair, where favourites included athletics, golf, horse-racing, rugby and tennis from Wimbledon. This was all supplemented with her natural affection for animals. She will be remembered as a warm, kind, generous, self-contained person, steadfastly religious and always forgiving. A perfectionist, open to the views of others, she could however on occasion be stubborn in her resolve. A very loyal person, it was deceased's delight that from their earliest times she established particularly close and affectionate relationships with her nieces Ann and Claire, each of whom returned her warmth many times over. She also took a healthy interest and pride in the development, achievements and antics of her grand nieces and grand nephews, not to mention the ensuing great-grand members. The funeral Mass took place in St Mary Church, Navan, on Monday last, 12th October, celebrated by Fr Dwayne Gavin, with burial to St Mary's Cemetery. She is survived by nieces and nephews, Clare Ryan (California), Raymond Forde (Bray), Mildred Murray (Bray), Ann Forde (Castleknock), Mary Butler (Bray), Clare Mongey (Clonee), Louis Magee (Ballsbridge) and Edmund Magee (Malahide). Her nephew Dermot Forde (Navan) predeceased her. _____________________________________________________________ Gay Comerford, Navan The death occurred peacefully on Tuesday of last week of Mrs Gay Comerford, Navan, a popular member of the teaching staff of St Joseph's Convent of Mercy in the town. Mrs Comerford was a member of the Algar family of Moatlands, Navan, and was married to Dunsany native Bill Comerford, who was retired from his teaching position at Scoil Mhuire, Trim. The staff and students of St Joseph's Secondary School, Convent of Mercy, Navan, paid tribute to Mrs Comerford and said they were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of their highly valued staff member who had given 35 years of service to the school community as a history and geography teacher. Colleagues described her as the kindest, most giving, supportive and helpful professional any school could hope for. She was way ahead of her time in her expert use of all form of technology, from computers to digital cameras and printers, long before they started appearing in schools country wide. She brought geography to life for her students, approaching every lesson with contagious enthusiasm, making the events of the wider world meaningful, relevant and more easily understood for everyone. Even while battling her illness with extraordinary positivity and courage, she spent time preparing for her return to school by researching and preparing presentations on topical world events. It is as a person, as well as the consummate professional she was, that those who knew Mrs Comerford will miss her terribly, the school added. "While the school will miss their year head, timetabler, tour organiser, photographer and excellent teacher, her many friends and colleagues will simply miss Gay. May she rest in peace," the tribute continued. Deceased is survived by her husband, Bill, daughter, Ciara; parents, Gerry and Ita Algar, Moatlands; brother, Paul, Athlumney Village (Bank of Ireland); sisters, Phil, Dublin and Veronica Cooney, Wilkinstown, who is also a member of staff at St Joseph's; brothers-in-law, Geoff Cooney, Fr Brendan Comerford SJ, and Tony Comerford; sister-in-law, Eileen Algar; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church to Glasnevin Crematorium on Friday last. ______________________________________________________________ Nancy Clarke, Navan Mrs Ann (Nancy) Clarke, Abbey Road, Navan, who passed away on 8th October last, was a member of the Kane family of Balreask, Trim Road, Navan. She was predeceased by her son, Francis, in 1975, and husband, Thomas, in 1989. Prior to her marriage, deceased was one of the first female employees of Navan Carpets, and lived at Abbey Road since marriage in 1948. She was involved in many associations, including the Irish Countrywomen's Association, flower club, patchwork quilting, and Navan Historical Society. Mrs Clarke had a great love of the GAA and was a loyal supporter of the Meath football team. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and friend. Deceased is survived by her son, Paul; daughters, Brenda Mooney, Mary Clarke, Catherine Lynch, Gerardine O'Reilly, Ann Mallon, Monica Clerkin; sisters, Bridie, Betty and Phyllis; brothers, Benny and Sean; grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place in St Mary's Church on Saturday 7th November at 6pm. ______________________________________________________________ Gerry Curran, Navan The death occurred on 5th October last of Mr Gerry Curran, Proudstown, Navan, peacefully at his home. Deceased had a great love for horse and dog racing and also loved walking. Mr Curran is survived by his brother, Paddy; sisters, Mena and Evelyn; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Oliver's Church to Kilberry Cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ Nancy Murphy, Skryne The community and parish of Skryne lost its most senior member on 28th September last, when, in her 94th year, Mrs Annie (Nancy) Murphy, Skryne passed away peacefully at St Elizabeth's Nursing Home, Athboy. A native of Kilmaine, Co Mayo, Mrs Murphy was pre-deceased by her husband Patrick (Sonny), and son, Tommy. She was blessed with great health until her final days and only had a few weeks' stay in the care of the staff of St Elizabeth's Nursing Home. With her active and sharp mind, she keenly continued a long time interest in politics and current affairs up to her final few days. Mrs Murphy cherished her 39 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren and was empowered by the love they shared bringing them through many a trial and trepidation. She is survived by her sons, Christy, Ballinaboola, Wexford; Vincent, Terenure, Dublin; Dermot, Donnybrook, Dublin; Fintan, Skryne; Declan, Mullingar; daughters, Ita Swan, Skryne; Colette Hennessy, Antrim; Laura Funge, Gorey; Aideen Andrews, Athboy; sons-in-law, daughters-in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a large circle of dear friends. Mrs Murphy's remains reposed at her home in Skryne until the funeral Mass on Wednesday 30th September, in St Colmcille's Church, Skryne, celebrated by Fr Thomas O'Mahony PP, Skryne, assisted by Mons Ted Dunne, Fr Owen Furlong, Ballywilliam, Wexford, and Fr Michael Byrne, Folksmills, Wexford. Burial took place in the adjoining cemetery. A month's mind Mass will take place in St Colmcille's Church, on Wednesday 28th October at 7pm.