Late Angela Travers taught many to swim

SHE TAUGHT generations of children and adults how to swim, and helped train many lifeguards in the local area and further afield.

Her impact on the local community was evident in the huge turnout for her funeral in Riverchapel on December 27 last. Angela Travers will be sadly missed.

She passed away at her home in Etchingham Heights, Riverchapel, on Christmas Eve, following a six year battle with cancer, which she met head on. She was 62.

Née Heeney, Angela grew up in Kingshill, Arklow. Her father was a fisherman, and she always loved the water. She learned to swim in Arklow pool and the sea, and became the first female Beachguard in Ireland when she was posted to Courtown.

She moved to the Gorey area when she married Matt Travers in 1968. She quickly got involved in the local community, and taught swimming in The Courtown Hotel for 22 years. Generations of Gorey people, and others from across the county learned to swim with Angela. She also taught at swim weeks in Bunclody and Tinaberna for many years.

She was also involved with Wexford Water Safety for 35 years and served on the county committee. She also did water safety lessons in Courtown and Cahore during that time. She was awarded several lifesaving medals during her career.

Angela worked in many places over the years, as a life guard, swimming teacher, and duty manager. Among the work places were The Talbot Hotel Leisure Centre, and Druids Glen. Indeed, she was giving swimming lessons on her way home from chaemotherapy up to six weeks before she passed away. Away from the water, she spent 17 years involved in Gorey Scouts, and was one of the founders of the group in its previous incarnation. She was also involved in the Red Cross, and was a member of a team that won an All Ireland First Aid Competition.

Angela also loved animals and often took in rescue dogs from the local area. Above all, Angela was a devoted mother to Paul, David and Lynn, and was a great friend to many in the local community. She always had time for her children and her family, and always put other people first before herself.

Her Funeral Mass at Star of the Sea Church in Riverchapel was celebrated by Fr. Tom Dalton, who revealed he was taught to swim by Angela. When he came to minister in the parish, she remembered him.

Cremation took place in Mount Jerome, Dublin after her Funeral. She is survived by her loving children Paul, David, and Lynn, husband Matt, daughters in law Caroline and Lorraine, sister Pauline and brother-in-law Lar; brothers Willie and James; sisters-in-law Angela and Eileen; brother-in-law Jimmy; sister-in-law Imelda; nieces; nephews; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a wide circle of family, friends, and neighbours.

During her illness, the Hope Centre in Enniscorthy was of great support to her, and donations to the Centre were invited in lieu of flowers.

May she Rest in Peace.