Obituaries 12th October 2013

Martin Grace, Kells

The parish of Kells is in shock following the sudden death of its much loved parish secretary, Martin Grace, Grand Priory, Headfort Road, Kells, at the age of 60, on 25th September last. Martin had just returned from a break in Mayo and died reading the newspaper. He worked as parish secretary since 1977 and was regarded as very popular and helpful. He loved Kells and all its people, took a great interest in the history of Kells and all activities associated with the parish and the town.  He was described as a man  who had no enemies.  A strong supporter of Gaelic football, he regularly followed the Meath football team around the country. 
Martin was held in such great esteem that by a decision of the elected members of Kells Town Council, the national flag on the Town Hall was flown at half mast. Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Oliver Sweeney, led tributes to Martin Grace last week.
He is survived by his sisters, Anne Fitzsimons and Marina Grace; nephews; nieces; cousins; brother-in-law, Jack; lifelong friend, Carmel, and is also regretted by the priests of the parish, members of the Parish Council, work colleagues and friends.
The funeral was held at St Colmcille’s Church, Kells on Saturday 28th September, followed by burial at St Colmcille’s Cemetery. The parish clergy was joined by priests who had previously served in the parish and worked with Martin, as well as priests from neighbouring parishes.

Nancy Sheerin, Castletown

Nancy Sheerin, Castletown KP, Navan, who has died after a short illness, was sacristan of Castletown-Kilpatrick Church for 35 years. She passed away on 18th August last at her home, in the care of her family, after a short illness bravely borne.
Deceased was born on 2nd November 1938, one of a family of nine of Christopher and Bridget Weldon, of Newtown, Nobber. She went to school in Kilbeg, leaving at 14, and started a lifetime of caring for others.
She worked in various places in Meath and Dublin, befre marrying Ned Sheerin on 29th April 1941. They built a house in Castletown, and lived very happily until Ned’s untimely death on 17th October 1971, following a car accident. Nancy devoted her life to looking after her four young children.
Deceased was involved in many committees in the parish, including Active Retirement, Safeguarding Children, Ladies Committee, St Joseph’s Young Priests Society, and the Altar Society. She was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, and proudly wore her gold pin.
Nancy enjoyed playing pitch and putt, walking, cycling, and the occasional game of bingo and cards. She had great faith and a strong devotion to the Sacred Heart and Our Lady.
She loved her grandchildren, and loved spending time with them.
Deceased is survived by her sons, Paul and Brendan, both Castletown Kilpatrick, and Gerard, Castleknock, Dublin; daughter, Ann McCabe, Lobinstown; daughters-in-law; son-in-law; grandchildren; and extended family.
The funeral took place from St Patrick’s Church, Castletown KP, to Castletown Cemetery.

 

Kathleen Flood, Kells

The regretted death occurred on 22nd September last of Kathleen Flood, O’Growney Terrace, Kells, at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Aged 83, she was a member of the McLoughlin family from St Bridget’s Terrace Kells. Her mother, originally from Mullaghea, was a well known local celebrity, Bridget ‘Ma’ McLoughlin, and her father, William, hailed from Belfast.
In the 1960s, Kathleen worked in the now closed Tara Shoes in Kells for many years before becoming a full time mother. She reared three children in O’Growney Terrace.
She loved her grandchildren with all her heart and spent many hours in their company each week. She looked forward to their visits or phone calls and every conversation inevitably ended in the words: “Now you’ll be careful, won’t ye”.
She was a member of Gael Colmcille Pitch and Putt Club for many years and was an avid player. She represented her club in numerous inter county/provincial competitions and was Leinster Junior champion on one occasion. Her husband Raymond was the official driver to these competitions and accompanied her all over the country. Deceased was a great cook and particularly loved to bake. She regularly made fantastic apple tarts that she gave out to all her family.
A wonderful mother, grandmother and a true friend to all who knew her, she will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Kathlen is survived by her husband, Raymond; sons, Ray and David; daughter,Karen; daughter-in-law, Rosemarie; grandchildren, Alan, Colin, Rachel, Paul, Aileen, Robin, and Rebecca.
The funeral took place from St Colmcille’s Church in Kells to the local cemetery.  A month’s mind Mass will be held on Sunday 3rd November in St Colmcille’s Church at 11am.

Margaret Maguire,  Oldcastle

There was widespread sadness following the passing of Margaret Maguire, Glenboy, Oldcastle on Friday 20th September last. Aged 89 years, she was a native of Aghaconey, Ballinagh, and wife of the late Seamus Maguire the eldest brother of the Maguire footballing brothers who represented Cavan and Meath in the  1940s and ‘50s. She was a widow for 43 years and reared six children following her husband’s sudden death in 1970. She was a warm, kind, gentle and generous woman who despite the many crosses she carried in life showed extraordinary courage and fortitude. Margaret was a woman of deep faith and this sustained her right up to her time of death. She devoted her life to her family, her home was always open and everyone was made very welcome and were treated to her superb culinary skills.
She is survived by her sons, Des, Jim and Michael; daughters,  Rosaleen O’Malley, Carmel Hamilton and Mary Campbell; brother, Michael; 21 grandchildren; daughters-in-law; sons-in-law; sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and a wide circle of friends. The large attendance at her home, removal and funeral indicated the respect and esteem she was held in throughout the community and beyond. Fr Dermot Prior was chief celebrant at her funeral mass in St Brigid’s Church, Oldcastle, concelebrated with Fr Ray Kelly, Fr Oliver Devine, Fr Michael Quinn, Fr Oliver Brennan, Fr Martin Noone, Fr Loughlain Carolan, Fr Stan Deegan, Fr John Gilligan and Fr Des Corrigan. He paid a fitting tribute to Margaret in a beautiful homily. Music was provided by John O’Neill, Roisin Dooley and Carmel Hamilton, with burial following in Ballinacree cemetery.

Jack Leahy, Navan

There was widespread sadness following the death on 12th September last of Jack Leahy, Liscarton, Navan, at the age of 82, at his home. A native of Ballymaurice, Granard, Co Longford, he was son of William Leahy and Catherine McCabe, and emigrated to England in the 1950s, where he worked with Ford, British Leyland and London Transport.
He was very involved in the Irish community in Britain and often had large crowds gathering at his house on Sundays as he had one of the few radios which could receive Radio Eireann and the Gaelic football matches from Ireland.
Jack helped establish St Catherine’s Club in West Drayton in the 1960s. He also served on the committee of St Claret’s Men’s Club in Hayes for may years, holding the position of vice chairman for a period. He established the St Claret’s tug-of-war team which became very successful.
In 1980, he came home to Ireland, and bought Newgate Stores, outside Navan. Being back in Ireland allowed him to travel all over the country to watch football, particularly Meath. He could converse extensively about football and the players both past and present.
Deceased is survived by his wife, Martha; daughter, Maria, Swindon, England; sons, John, Hurdlestown, Kells, James, West Draton, Middlesex, England, Joseph, Thurstainstown, Navan; twin sister, Mai, Corlismore, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, brother, Jimmy Joe, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath; relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from St Ultan’s Church, Bohermeen, to Boyerstown Cemetery.