Mary Butler put her family and club first
MARY BUTLER, who passed away suddenly on Tuesday last week, was a woman of enviable energy and many talents, who always put her family and beloved club, New Ross Celtic, first.
Mary (née Dwyer), grew up at 27 Mary Street, the daughter of Michael and Kathleen. She had four brothers Michael, Billy, John and Kevin.
Mary attended primary school and minded children before meeting her future husband Richie Butler at the pictures in New Ross and after 30 months the happy couple were married at the parish church on January 25, 1961. They lived at 28 Mary Street, beside her home place, before moving to 111 Mount Carmel estate in 1981.
Mary and Richie had eight children, Kathleen, Mary, Dick, Martina, Michael, Vera, Carmel and Jackie and went on to have 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A lover of ceili and traditional music, she, accompanied by Richie, won a trophy in the Ross Inn old waltzing competition in 1984. She also loved dogs and won competitions at argicultural shows with her collies, who she looked after with maternal care and attention.
A lover of soccer, over 30 years Mary washed the jerseys of the Ross Celtic A, B and C teams and the U18s for good measure, first in a small washing machine that required two washes for each jersey and later in a bigger unit, which lessened Mary’s workload. She ironed them all and was a perfectionist to her fingertips.
Mary also made her famous salad sandwiches and vegetable soup for teams in her kitchen, which resembled a factory on game days. The washing line in the back garden was always full of jerseys.
Her daughter Vera said: ‘What you saw was what you got (with Mam). She said it as it was and didn’t beat around the bush, but she had a heart of gold.’
Mary travelled to watch the team play and enjoyed all Irish soccer.
Many a quiet deed of goodness was carried out by Mary over the years. A woman of great faith, she said the rosary every day without fail and lived the life of a good Catholic, leading by example always.
A home bird, she enjoyed knitting and many of her Aran jumpers were sold in Rosbercon by Joan Molloy.
Mary’s only trip abroad was to Fishguard with Richie for an afternoon away on the ferry.
Mary’s favourite time of year was Christmas and every year the number of presents she bought for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grew, simultaneous to the leg room in her sittingroom shrinking with all the neatly wrapped gifts.
Mary fell very ill in 2015 but was nursed back to health in her home by her family. Sadly her health took a turn for the worse in recent weeks and she died suddenly on June 13 at University Hospital Waterford, having taken very ill a few days previously, to the great shock of the people in her community.
A huge crowd paid their final respects to Mary at her funeral Mass at the parish church where offeratory gifts including a No 3 Ross Celtic jersey, (the number worn by her son Dick and grandson Ethan), a photograph of her dogs, Sally, Honey, Daisy and Lady, and a family portrait, were brought up by family members.
Ross Celtic members stood as guard of honour in a fitting tribute to one of the most loyal team members any club could wish for.
Mary was laid to rest afterwards in St Stephen’s Cemetery.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.