Nualahadadeepandabidingfaith
NUALA Goss, Lurgankeel, Kilcurry, Dundalk who died peacefully on June 17th was a well known figure in her area was renowned for her cooking and gardening skills and showered kindness and love on all who were lucky enough to know her.
Known as Nano to family and friends, Nuala was the second of six children born to James and Margaret Conlon (nee Gallagher) on July 19th 1934.
The Conlon family lived briefly in Dromiskin before moving to Castletown Cross where she lived with her sisters Bridie, Kathleen and Margaret and brothers Sean and Brian.
When Nuala’s siblings were little they could not say her name and preferred to call her Nano. Nano was very close to all the Conlon family and loved her siblings deeply and loyally.
Nano attended Castletown Girls N.S., where she enjoyed learning and always spoke very fondly of Sr. Kevin, her teacher, with whom Nano got along with very well. Nano was bright and was good at Irish amongst other things.
Nano worked in Connolly Shoes where she had one of the most difficult jobs and she worked extremely hard at her job. In 1963, Nano married Patsy Goss and they had four children, Kevina, Oran, Patrick and Nuala. Nano and Patsy had 10 grandchildren whom they adored.
Nano was an extremely hard worker who worked tirelessly in the home and on the farm. While dinner was cooking, Nano would work out in the yard and then come in and finish dinner.
Nano was a very religious person with a deep and abiding faith. She attended Mass, novenas and visited Lourdes on a few occasions. Twenty years ago Nano had a heart attack in Lourdes and she had a triple bypass done in Toulouse in France.
No son, daughter or grandchild ever did anything of importance without a holy medal, holy water and prayers from Nano. Nano always carried her rosary beads and had a great devotion to St. Bernadette, St.Brigid and Our Lady.
As a cook, Nano was famous within the family for her sponge cakes, Christmas cakes, Christmas pudding, tea bracks and flans.
Nano’s cooking was equally matched by her hospitality and generosity. Many people who attended her wake recalled the lovely dinners which Nano had cooked them, even 50 years ago.
Visitors never left her home without being offered a cup of tea with something to eat. Nano loved to host a gathering of her siblings, their spouses, her nieces, nephews, her children and grandchildren after the Blessing of The Graves in Kilcurry.
Nano loved her home and took great pride in keeping it spotless and well maintained.
Nano was predeceased by her husband Patsy 15 weeks before her on March 6th, Mothers’ Day. Nano looked after Patsy for five years after his serious illness in Navan in 2011. Patsy called Nano ‘ The Queen’ and always said ‘ You better ask the Queen’.
Nano loved many things. These included her garden and enjoyed the colour and beauty of plants. Nano was a great fan of Daniel O’Donnell and her favourite song was Any Dream Will Do sung by Jim Reeves.
Nano was an accomplished knitter who knitted Aran sweaters but gave it up when her family arrived. Nano loved going to ‘Cutting Crew’ every Saturday to get her hair done and the staff there treated her like royalty. Nano was a Pioneer from the age of 14 and wore her gold pin with pride.
Above all, Nano was an amazing mother and grandmother who showered kindness and love on all who were lucky enough to know her. She did not allow her declining health to deter her from enjoying life in any way and only recently attended two weddings, a barbecue and a party. Nano attended Faughart Social Group until she had to devote more time to caring for Patsy. She was planning to go back to the group in September. At her wake, many relations and friends commented on her ready smile and said that Nano was a lady.
Nano was very appreciative of all her relatives and neighbours who loyally called to Patsy and her regularly in their home. She kept up with local and national news and read the papers. Due to the fact that she regretted not driving, she encouraged everyone to get their driving licence and get a car.
Nano is survived by her children Kevina, Oran, Patrick and Nuala, daughters in law Margaret and Karen, son in law, Hugh, grandchildren Eamonn, Sarah, Eoin, Aoife, Ciara, Ciarán, Niamh, Ronan, Andrew and Aoibheann, sister Margaret Fee, brothers Sean and Brian Conlon, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces and nephews in Dundalk, Manchester, Australia and New Zealand.
Nuala’s funeral Mass took place in St. Brigid’s Church, Kilcurry and was buried afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.
Nano’s grandchildren brought up the Symbols of Life at the beginning of Mass and Augustine Goss read the commentary. The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Vinod,C.C., Very Rev. T. Griffin, P.P. and Very Rev. C. McElwee.
The Readings were read by Marie Conlon and Margaret Goss while the Prayers of the Faithful were read by Niamh Goss, Andrew Clarke, Aoife McCormack, Sarah McCormack, Ciara Goss, Aideen Gartlan, Gary Whitmarsh and CaitrÍona Mulpeter. The Offertory was brought up by Margaret Fee, Sean Conlon and Brian Conlon. The Reflection was read by Kevina Goss. Patrick and Oran Goss read a tribute to their mother. Sarah McCormack played Erin’s Shore on her violin and the Funeral Hymns were sung beautifully by Kilcurry Church Choir.
The Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on July 17th at 10.30 a.m. in St. Brigid’s Church, Kilcurry.