Business woman in India who was very involved with charity work

OBITUARY: Sinead McManus, Skryne

​

A Mass in memory of Sinead McManus, Candle Hill, Oberstown, Tara, will take place in her native Skryne on Saturday 2nd March. Sinead passed away very suddenly but peacefully on New Year’s Eve in Palolem, South Goa, India, where he had lived for 20 years.

Sinead was educated in the St Colmcille's National School in Skryne, and St Michael's Loreto Convent, Navan. On completing her Leaving Certificate, she moved to Birmingham and subsequently to London where she worked for some years as an accounts manager with a large publishing house.

Having lived briefly in Antigua and Australia, Sinead travelled to India, initially on a three month sabbatical from work and ended up making this her second home for the next two decades. She used the experience she had gained working in London to work in various corporate positions where she travelled extensively, making connections both professionally and personally across the length and breadth of India.

Sinead was one of the few European women who smashed barriers and gained the respect and loyalty of many, and was an inspiration to all who knew her, both in Ireland and India. Sinead was very involved with charity work.

She helped raise funds for children's cancer care through the SabrCare Trust and for a school for children from the slum areas of the village she lived in, Shishu Bhavan kindergarten school. Her animal charities included Halo, which involved fitting fluorescent neck bands to cows who lived on the streets thus saving many lives, both human and bovine. She also worked passionately with dog rescue services.

Sinead was a very spiritual person with a deep faith she shared with all she met, always encouraging everyone to be the very best version of themselves as possible. Although she lived a very different life in India, she never forgot her roots. She travelled home to her beloved Candle Hill at least twice a year and very notably kept in contact with many friends from her school days. She loved and was loved by her family, especially when in August each year she would organise a family sports day for all, where she excelled in making everyone take part, regardless of any excuses. Her loss was completely unexpected and her family and friends are deeply saddened by her passing.

Predeceased by her parents, Joe and Bridgie McManus, she is survived by her sisters, Mary, Mags, Joan and Elaine; brothers, John, Andrew and Joseph; her sisters- and brothers-in-law; Godmother, Sr Mary Fiona Pryle; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends across the globe. Sinead's cremation took place in her beloved India. A Mass in her memory will be held in St Colmcille's Church, Skryne, on Saturday 2nd March at 12 noon. To honour Sinead's bright vivacious personality and life, those attending are asked to wear their brightest colours.