Nan (75) will be dearly missed
THE DEATH occurred recently of Nan McMackin, Ballykelly, a devoted wife and mother who passed away suddenly at her home on January 23 aged 75.
Nan (née Malone) grew up in Great Island, the daughter of Patrick and Hannie Malone. She had two brothers, the late Pat; Jim and three sisters, Moll, Biddy and Peg.
Nan attended national school in Campile and from a young age loved GAA. She would attend matches across the length and breadth of the county.
Aged 16 she travelled to London where she met Tipperary man Billy McMackin and the happy couple were married a short time later. Having had two children, Alison and Tony while in London, they returned to Ireland, initially settling in Fisherstown, before moving to Ballykelly.
While Billy worked for the council, Nan raised their children Alison, Michelle, Joanne, P. J. Christopher, Michael and the late Tony, while also working for a time in Peggy Ryan’s Bakery on the corner of South Street and Mary Street. She founded Ballykelly Youth Club, at a time when there was no social outlet for youths in the area. Linking up with New Ross Youth Club, the mother-of-seven grew the fledgling Ballykelly club, which was a space where young people could interact and play games like table tennis together. The club even made it the the All Ireland finals in Mosney twice under her stewardship.
Nan enjoyed good health up until around five years ago. The loss of Tony 11 years ago had a huge effect on her and she never truly got over it, but through the love of her family and grandchildren she continued to enjoy life. In later years she developed a love of Facebook and through it kept abreast of local goings on and in touch with family near and far. She also enjoyed playing bingo online on her laptop. She enjoyed chatting with her sister Moll every morning over the phone and could often be seen waving at passersby from her home.
A woman who knew what was important in life, Nan always provided for her large family. A woman of great energy, she was a friendly, outgoing person who loved being around people.
Over the years she travelled to visit with Alison, Michelle and Joanne in the UK.
She loved sport, especially watching GAA, tennis and darts, on the TV in later years. She was a woman of great faith who travelled to Knock on occasion and also enjoyed attendng the Dublin Horse Show.
Nan passed away peacefully in her armchair on January 23.
She was laid to rest in Ballykelly graveyard beside Billy and her daughter Pamela, following a packed funeral Mass, where her grandchildren and friends did the readings.
She is survived by her children; sisters Biddy, Moll and Peg, brother Jim, grandchildren, daughter-in-law Clodagh, son-in-law Dave, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.