HighfieldwomanFranceshad agreatdevotiontoPadrePio
FRANCES Holland of Highfield in Drogheda, passed away peacefully in St. Elizabeth’s Nursing Home, Athboy Co. Meath at the age of 87. Frances had previously survived Breast cancer in 1975 but this time succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer on the 14th December 2017.
Frances was born in Ennis Co. Clare on 9th May 1930 and was the youngest of five children, born to Denis and Mollie Howard. She was fondly referred to as ‘ Baby’ by all her family members.
Frances trained as a nurse in Southampton, England, but came home to nurse her elderly father in 1960.
She met her husband Patrick Holland, a salesman from Cork city, in the matchmaking capital of Ireland, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare. The couple got married in Limerick and moved to Trim, Co. Meath while their house in Highfield was completed in 1965 and subsequently had three boys, Paul, Pat and Raymond.
Frances later resumed her career and was a very popular night nurse for over 20 years in St. Mary’s (Dublin Road) and The Cottage Hospital in Drogheda, until she retired in 1995.
She loved living amongst her neighbours in Highfield, always putting her family and friends first and was very proud of her three sons and five grandchildren.
In 1975 Frances survived Breast cancer but only after taking advice from a friend to get a second opinion after initially being given the all-clear!
She attributed her survival to her huge devotion to Padre Pio , had great faith and was a daily mass-goer, attending The Holy Family, Augustinian, St. Peter’s and Dominican churches in Drogheda. She also loved to walk on Bettystown Beach on a daily basis.
Over the years Frances maintained very close friendships with many of her former nursing colleagues.
She also enjoyed the company of many wonderful people in Donore Bridge Club and Athboy Bridge Club. Frances was always proud of her Clare roots, frequently travelling to visit her two older sisters who are still alive today, Cissie (94) and Mai (92).
The three sisters managed to write other for more than 70 years!
She loved to travel especially to Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorge and travelled on her own to visit her son Pat and his family in Australia in 2004.Her outgoing, caring nature and her zest for life, made an impression on many who crossed her path.
Her three sons followed their father’s passion for soccer and Gaelic Football and played for various Drogheda teams.
Paul lives in Kells , is a Deputy Principal in Dunshaughlin and married to Maria from Peru, with one son, Martin, and is very involved with Drogheda United.
Pat lives in Sydney, Australia and played for the Louth Minors in Croke Park and has two children, Dylan and Clodagh, with partner Kathy from Sydney.
Raymond and his Spanish wife Martha, have two girls, Lucia and Zara and live in Westmeath. Raymond played with St. Nicholas GAA and St. Mary’s DS teams and both Pat and Raymond work in the IT sector.
Their dad, Patrick (Paddy) loved Cork Hibs and Drogheda Utd but passed away suddenly in 1985, also in the month of December.
The family wish to thank all the staff in The Lourdes and Cottage Hospitals in Drogheda and St. Elizabeth’s Nursing Home in Athboy, Fr. David Bradley of The Holy Family Church, Townley’s Funeral Home and all who sympathised with them on their recent bereavement. to each