Monageer mourns vibrant and energetic Mary Cooper(68)
THE parish of Monageer was united in sadness following the passing of Mary Cooper (née Canavan) who passed away back in January, aged just 68.
Mary was the daughter of the late Bridget and Richard Canavan, sister of Frank, Jean, Seamus and the late Vera. She was born and reared in Monageer where she attended primary school, married and lived out her whole life. Having attended her local primary school, she attended Coláiste Bríde in Enniscorthy before completing her apprenticeship in hairdressing in one of the most popular hair salons of its day owned and operated by the Cloake sisters. Once qualified, she joined the staff at Lynams Hair Salon, in the square before going on to open her very own salon in Monageer which she operated up until her retirement in the 1980s.
Mary then took up the roll of secretary for Cooper & O’Toole Tarmacadam Contractors up until 2005. Her final position was that of secretary for Liam Cooper & Sons Ltd, a position to which she was extremely dedicated and one which she carried out in meticulous fashion.
In 1971, Mary married another native of Monageer Liam Cooper, by whom she was predeceased. The couple went on to have three children Feargal, Roisin and Conaill and then became doting grandparents to Sean and Ruairi Cooper, Ella, Oisin and Cara Cooney and Molly Cooper.
Mary had a great affinity with the young people of Monageer and she was a child minder to several children in the parish over the years. She also served a stint working in the local shop where she’d always enjoy the craic with the youngsters coming in and out. She could relate to young people very easily as she was young at heart herself.
Mary also had a great love of dancing, taking in everything from Irish step and set dancing to line dancing and more recently she and her partner Lar particularly enjoyed social dancing together. Another great love, and one which Mary never missed, was the traditional Irish nights in the Monageer Tavern.
Mary was an energetic and vibrant woman who will be deeply missed by her family, friends and neighbours.
May she rest in peace.