Annettehadagreatvarietyof interestsincludingfamilyhistory
FAMILY members are still in shock following the death of Annette Ferguson of Arva Lane, Blackrock, Dundalk.
Annette who hailed from Drumgeeney, Carrickmacross, passed away peacefully on Monday the 23rd of May at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in the company of her family.
She was first hospitalised there in December 15th and underwent surgery in St. James Hospital Christmas week. While she convalesced she often spoke of the lovely people both fellow patients and staff she met in both hospitals for which the family are deeply grateful.
Annette had a renowned very quick wit that she retained to the end.
She was born in the Rotunda Hospital and baptised in the Pro Cathedral in Dublin in September 1952. She was the middle child in the family of nine, comprising of two daughters and seven sons of the late Ben and Annette (Nettie) Cunningham of Drumgeeney, Carrickmacross.
She attended Saint Ultan’s primary school, Rocktate and received her secondary education in St. Louis Convent, Carrickmacross and then third level in the Regional Technical College, Dundalk.
The next phase of her life entailed a period in London where she worked in banking. After her marriage and the birth of her sons Robert and Niall the family returned home and settled in Arva Lane.
Annette worked in Accuray Electronics, and then returned to college to pursue and attain a qualification in Accounting. She worked in Blackrock Post Office and afterwards she carried out office work in Watters Bar and Restaurant in Collon and lastly in Slane. Annette made many friends along the way.
A lady of varied interests, one such deep interest was in family history into which she did a lot of research in co-operation with other family members. She played badminton, did the Ladies mini marathon several times and took up golf with her sister in law Mary.
Her next project was to be with her daughter in law Audrey learning to jive in preparation for her godson Patrick’s wedding next year to which she was looking forward.
She travelled quite a lot, spending holidays with her brothers Paddy and Oliver in Australia a couple of times and also cousins in Canada.
She was predeceased by her sister, Margaret who died in infancy, her brother Bernard, and by her parents Ben and Annette.
Annette is sadly missed and remembered with love by her sons, Robert and Niall, daughter-in-law, Audrey, granddaughter Sarah, sister, Anne McCabe, brothers, Jim, Tom, Paddy, Paschal, Michael and Oliver, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunt, neph- ews, nieces, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
After reposing at the Cunningham family home, Drumgeeney, Carrickmacross her remains were removed on the Wednesday to St. Enda’s Chapel, Killanny where her father, Ben had served at the first Mass celebrated there.
Annette’s Funeral Mass was concelebrated by Father Joseph McCluskey PP who gave the eulogy. The other concelebrants were Father John Kearns and Father Pat Muckian SM, friends of the family.
A picture, photographs of the family and family home and also copies of the Kerley and Cunningham family crests were laid before the altar by her granddaughter, Sarah, daughter-in-law, Audrey and grand nephew and grand niece Ryan and Chloe. Nephew Ben narrated how they symbolised Annette’s life.
Brother Tom and nephew Patrick gave the Readings and niece Calina sang the responsorial psalm.
The Prayers of the Faithful were led by brothers, Paschal and Michael and niece, Grainne, while the Offertory gifts were presented at the altar by her sons, Robert and Niall.
Daughter-in-law Audrey gave a Communion Reflection, accompanied by Katie Kerley on the harp.
Her brothers, Paddy, Oliver and nephew Peter in Australia and niece Lorraine in Budapest followed the funeral Mass on the internet through a live stream.
The music was provided by the Killanny church choir. Annette was carried by her family to her final resting place in the adjoining cemetery.
Month’s Mind Mass is on Saturday, June 25th in Saint Enda’s Chapel, Killanny
at 6pm.