Alice was a very wonderful lady
THE death of Alice Kinahan, Chapel Cross, Dromiskin, Dundalk occurred suddenly on her 90th birthday on May 18th last following a brief illness in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
Alice was the last surviving member of the Clarke family from The Canal, Mooretown and would have celebrated 65 years of marriage to husband, Jackie on August 14th. Very sadly Jackie passed away in St. Brigid’s Hospital, Ardee just over three weeks after Alice on June 9th.
Alice was a very popular lady whose wonderful life was immersed between her loving family, friends and her local community with her family steeped in the welfare of the local St. Joseph’s GFC.
She was well known to young pupils for her kindness when Dromiskin NS was located close to her home for she was the custodian of bicycles for many of
the pupils and was often called on to assist with medication for sick children.
After completing her education she entered the workforce in her teenage years, working in John Halliday shoe makers in Dundalk where, many years later, her son Gerry followed in her footsteps working as a sales representative for the same company, then known as Clarks Shoes.
She loved her local church, St. Peters and a highlight of her life was to see Pope John Paul 11 in Drogheda in 1979. She was a big devotee of Father
Peter Rookey, healing priest, and was a constant letter writer to him.
She took great comfort from the regular visits to her home of Fr. Liam Pentony for his blessing and the Eucharist.
Alice enjoyed her participa- tion in the local ICA guild. In later years she was a regular visitor to the St. Joseph’s club coffee morning each Wednesday where she shared a chat and memories with her fellow senior citizens. She was a proud promoter of the club’s weekly lottery.
She also at a late stage in her life learned to drive, although it didn’t turn out as she would have liked.
Alice enjoyed many friends and great neighbours, especially Catherine Bannon, her wonderful friend next door. They spent most nights discussing the affairs of the day.
Her passing is deeply regretted by son, Gerry, daughters, Mary Byrne, Alison McGailey and Jacqueline McGinn, sonsin-law, Martin, Liam and Eamonn, daughter-in-law, Breda, grandchildren, Michael and Sean Kinahan, Sheena McKenna, Anthony and Philip Kinahan, Martina Byrne, Jonathan and Dearbhla McGailey, Annie and Oisin McGinn, great-grandchildren, Cormac and Aodhan Kinahan and Sorcha and Donncha Mc Kenna, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends
Alice reposed at the home of her daughter Jacqueline Mc Ginn where a huge crowd called to pay respects to her.
Alice’s family are grateful to St. Joseph’s club for the use of their facilities and were also hugely honoured by the Guard of Honour from the club, comprised of players and committee members.
Family, friends and neighbour then carried her coffin to St. Peter’s Church.
The pall bearers included her son, Gerry, sons-in-law, Martin Byrne, Liam McGailey and Eamonn McGinn, as well as her grandsons, Michael, Sean and Anthony Kinahan, Jonathan McGailey and Eamon Gorham who represented her heartbroken grandson, Philip Kinahan honeymooning in Mexico with his wife Grace, along with Matt McKenna and Barry Gardiner.
Rve. Rev. Pat McEnroe P.P., celebrated a lovely Requiem Mass and gave a touching eulogy on Alice.
Personal gifts symbolising Alice’s life were presented at the altar by Oisin McGinn, Cormac and Aodhan Kinahan and Sarah Morrow, while the Offertory Gifts were taken up by Jacqueline McGinn and Martina Morrow.
The Readings were given by Anthony Kinahan and Jonathan McGailey and granddaughters, Sheena McKenna, Martina Byrne, Dearbhla McGailey and Annie McGinn led the Prayers of the Faithful.
Son Gerry gave a reflection after communion Burial took place in Dromiskin Cemetery.
Month’s Mind Mass for Alice and husband Jackie is on Sunday, July 3rd at 10.30am in St. Peter’s Church, Dromiskin.