Obituaries 1st June 2013
Cecil Geoghegan,
Kildalkey and Navan
There was great sadness over a wide area at the recent death of Mr Cecil Geoghegan of Kilcarne Heights, Navan, at the age of 62, at the Mater Hospital, Dublin. Mr Geoghegan worked for over 40 years as a carpenter in the building trade. He worked extensively in the Navan area and made many friends along the way.
Deceased was hugely involved in many sports including football and racing, but especially in hurling, particularly in his native Kildakey.
He won a Meath Junior Hurling championship in 1969, and an Intermediate Championship in 1971, with Kildalkey, and a Leinster Junior Championship with Meath in 1972.
He contested three senior hurling finals with Kildalkey before his retirement from hurling at the age of 40. Mr Geoghegan got great enjoyment and was particularly proud of Kildalkey’s achievements in recent years. He also followed Walterstown GFC for whom his sons, John and Joe currently play.
Deceased got lifelong enjoyment from shooting and fishing.
In recent years, he was extensively involved in rearing pheasants and helping to populate the locality with his pheasants. He was a lifelong member and supporter of the Pioneer Association.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Maura; sons, John and Joe; daughters, Olivia and Kate; grandchildren, Peter and Ryan; brothers, Fr Frank, Michael and Jimmy; sisters, Connie and Mary; son-in-law, Trevor; daughter-in-law, Aoife; nephews and nieces.
Huge crowds attended the removal of his remains to the Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, and his funeral to Kilcarne Cemetery after Mass concelebrated by Fr Michael Cahill, PP Johnstown, Fr Oliver Devine PP, Kildalkey, Fr Pat Raleigh and Fr Sean McDonagh, St Columban’s College, Dalgan and Fr Stephen Kelly, CC, Navan.
A months memory mass will take place in the Church of the Nativity, Johnstown, at 11am on Sunday 2nd June.
Raymond McLoughlin,
Kells and Navan
The passing of Mr Raymond (Ray) McLoughlin, Blackcastle, Navan and formerly of Kells, on 5th May last at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, came as an unexpected shock.
Deceased’s early life was spent in Carrick Street, Kells, where he attended the Christian Brothers and played Gaelic football for Gaeil Colmcille. He later went to Ballyfin College, Co Laois, where he spent many happy years before going on to train as an accountant.
In the late 1950s, Mr McLoughlin emigrated to England where he worked for a number of years and joined the Garryowen GFC in Hammersmith as a player, along with many friends, and became an integral part of the committee in raising the profile of the club.
During his time spent in London, he met his wife Bouwine (Bonnie). On returning to Ireland they settled in Navan. He spent a number of years working for Horizon Holidays, Coyle’s Auditors and Carrickmacross Plastics and was also self-employed.
Deceased was greatly involved with his local residents’ association for a number of years as a member of the committee and also as a treasurer. His main passion in life was the GAA and the Meath team, and he spent many nights attending training sessions in Dalgan Park and Pairc Tailteann and going to matches across the country. His general knowledge of the game was outstanding, recalling games of the past with ease, and he could spot the talent of the future.
The passing of his wife in 2000 was the great loss to him. In the following years his health declined as he spent the last ten years in a wheelchair but he never complained about his situation and got on with life. He regularly attended the hospital and had a great rapport with the staff. He attended Mass regularly and was a member of the House of Joseph. He had a great faith in Our Lady. He was a quiet man, a great listener and when he spoke, it was with great wisdom. He loved a good conversation on a wide range of topics. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.
Mr McLoughlin is survived by his son, Damien; daughters, Angela, Lorraine, Annette; brother, Sean; and extended family. The funeral took place from St Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle, Navan, to St Finian’s Cemetery, Old Athboy Road, Navan. A month’s memory Mass takes place on Sunday 9th June at 12 noon in St Oliver’s Church.
Ellen Tobin,
Carlanstown
The regretted death occurred on 7th March last, just over a month after her 92nd birthday, of Mrs Ellen (Nellie) Tobin, Newtown, Carlanstown, Kells, at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan.
Deceased was born Ellen Shankey on 4th February 1921 in Blackfort, Kilmainhamwood, the fourth youngest of eleven children to Christopher and Julia Shankey. Her simple and loving upbringing in Kilmainhamwood formed her life-long belief that faith, hard work and kindness to others was the true source of happiness. She married James (Jimmy) Tobin in 1953, and they settled in Newtown, where they raised seven children.
Mr Tobin died suddenly on New Year’s Eve 1969, and afterwards, she singlehandedly reared her young family. Mrs Tobin enjoyed good health throughout her life and was actively involved in a wide range of interests. In later years she was involved with the Moynalty Active Retirement Group and seldom missed the excursions and the weekly trip to Navan on the Flexibus.
Her annual participation in the butter churning at the Moynalty Steam Threshing was one of her social highlights. She greatly enjoyed attending Saturday evening mass in Moynalty, religiously followed by a drink in McCabe’s in the company of family and friends.
Deceased loved life and she touched and enriched many lives throughout her years. She was unfailingly friendly and outgoing and greatly enjoyed regular visits from family, friends and neighbours. She remained interested in all affairs, local, national and international and never missed the daily paper. The Meath Chronicle was bought every Wednesday and discussed with visitors throughout the week. Throughout her life, Mrs Tobin remained a devoted and loving mother to her children.
She was remarkably fit and active and fully involved with life until her unexpected death, surrounded by her loving family at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan after a short illness.
She is sorely missed by her grieving family and many good friends, who brought great comfort to the family through their presence and intentions since her passing.
She is survived by her daughters, Marian Doyle, and Ann Tobin, Dublin and Patricia Tobin, Navan; sons, James, Kerry, Mark and Joe, Meath, and John, Kerry; brother, Phil Shankey, Shancor; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Kearney, Sheila Shankey, and Teresa Shankey; son-in-law, Nicky Doyle; daughters-in-law, Nancy, Ailish, Maria and Mary; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place on Sunday 10th March from St Mary’s Church, Moynalty to the adjoining cemetery.
Eileen Kelly,
Kildalkey
There was considerable sadness following the passing on 9th May last of Eileen (Nell) Kelly, Pubblestown, Kildalkey.
She is survived by her family, Maura, Anne, Pat, Paul, David, Michael; sisters, Rose, Josephine and Nancy; brothers, Dessie, Benny and Thomas. She was predeceased by daughter, Jacqueline. The funeral took place from St Dympna’s Church, Kildalkey to the local cemetery. A month’s memory Mass will take place in Kildalkey on Saturday 8th June at 6pm.