Hard-working and passionate Peggy left her mark on the local community
BORN in August 1928, Margaret (Peggy) Finn (Nee Britten) began her long and eventful life in Enniscorthy, Wexford.
She later lived in Kerry, Dublin and then for most of her adult life, she settled with her husband Joe in Gorey, where they raised three children.
Peggy enjoyed many sports and, as a youngster, played hockey and tennis, amongst others.
She began playing golf in adulthood and it became a lifetime pursuit. She was a keen golfer for over 50 years and was honoured to be made a lifetime member of Courtown Golf Club.
In 1965, Peggy and her husband, Joe offered a prize to the Courtown club ladies for an inter-club four ball.
The first Finn Trophy was played in 1966 with nine clubs participating and the competition gained momentum over the years, with teams from all over Leinster playing as the years passed.
The final, played in Courtown, was keenly attended by Peggy, who saw it run for 51 years.
Peggy took up playing bridge in her middle years and played for many years with the Gorey 51 Bridge Club, and she enjoyed reading and seeing her name published in the Guardian newspapers.
Both Courtown Golf Club and Gorey 51 Bridge Club fondly remember Peggy and left a number of messages of condolence.
‘Deepest sympathy from the members of Courtown Golf Club on the passing of Peggy. Former Captain, President, Trustee and a generous sponsor of the Finn Trophy for 51 years. May she Rest In Peace,’ said the Coolattin Ladies of Courtown Golf Club.
Peggy is sadly missed by her family, friends, sports colleagues and many people who may have met her, worked with her, or spent time with her through her life.
As well as being a mother to three children, she assisted her husband with his business, and worked hard to develop other interests through her life.
She was passionate about things she chose to support and, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Peggy and her daughter Mairead helped to establish and run a Wexford branch of the Alzheimer’s Society. Peggy was the branch’s secretary for some time and the branch ran many fundraising events and reached out to the local communities providing information, advice and help to carers and those that required care. By the early 2000s, the branch was providing assistance to approximately 40 people across the county, from Bunclody right down to Hook Head.
The fundraising events, as diverse as ploughing competitions and fashion shows, were well supported by the local communities who could see that their donations would be used to support those dealing with the disease.
It was with great sadness to Peggy that the running of the local branch was ceded to the centralised Alzheimer’s Society in Dublin, leaving a void in the direct provision of services at a local and grassroots level.
Peggy passed away peacefully at Valentia Nursing Home in Camolin, where she had been a resident for two years since May 2018.
Peggy’s funeral took place privately due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
She is predeceased by her late husband Joe, daughter Sheila and son-in-law Joss.
Peggy is survived by her daughter Mairead, son Finbarr and grandchildren Renée, Kate and Peter and great-grandson Joshua, extended family, relatives and friends.
May she Rest In Peace.