Maeve was devoted to her family

Anna-Mary (Maeve) McCoy 1928- 2016

ANNA-MARY McCoy, who died peacefully at Dealgan House Nursing Home on July 16, was the last but one surviving of the ladies whose husbands comprised the town’s retained fire fighters and resided in Market Street.

The 14 firemen lived in the houses reserved for them and their families, which backed onto the fire station.

Conditions were far from ideal for Anna-Mary, who went by the name Maeve, and the other wives. The houses were small and the families were disturbed regularly by the alarm calls, often in the middle of the night.

There were eight in the McCoy family, all in a two-bedroom unit, but Maeve was the archetypal mother, who simply got on with the challenges, and did everything she could for her husband and family to whom she was devoted, especially her daughter Vera, who for the last 20 years has been hospitalised.

Maeve spent most of her adult life in Dundalk, moving to her husband George’s native town when they married, but she remained proud of her Drogheda roots.

She was one of six children of the late Agnes and Joe McCarthy from Greenhills in Drogheda. She had two sisters, Rosaleen RIP and Doris and three brothers, Dermot RIP, Fintan and Brendan.

She spent her formative years in Drogheda, attending school at St Patrick’s, Scarlet Street, and worked in the former McDonnell’s margarine factory.

She was to meet George McCoy, from Emer Terrace in Dundalk, on a night out in Drogheda, and a relationship developed that culminated in the couple marrying.

Maeve and George first lived on the Castletown Road in Emer Terrace, before securing a house at 29 Fatima Drive, where the family lived for a time.

Maeve was very much at home there as it reminded her of Greenhills, with green fields closeby and a river. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of walking and bringing her children on walks across the fields and around the ‘Back of the Wall’ and showing them other rustic pursuits, such as picking fruit, swimming and fishing.

A further move resulted when George, who worked in the Urban District Council, was appointed a retained fire fighter.

The job required that he and the other retained fire-fighters live with their families in houses provided in Market Street, around the corner from the fire station which was located in Defenders Row.

It was a big change for Maeve, to live in the middle of the town, and even more so with her husband liable to be called out at all hours.

She readily adapted and adjusted, and got on with the task of caring for and raising her family. She was totally dedicated to her children, especially Vera, who entered hospital at a young age, and required full-time residential care.

There wasn’t a day that Maeve didn’t visit, even managing in latter times when she was struggling with her own health.

To supplement the family income, she carried out piece work, making shoes for local manufacturers, Rawson’s and Clark’s, fitting in a large sewing machine in the restricted space in the front of the family home, and engaged the help of her family.

Her faith was a cornerstone of her life and she never missed Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

She passed on her religious convictions to her children, with a reserved and private nature disguising a strong-willed character, who always retained her sense of fun.

She loved clothes and fashion, and absolutely adored Irish culture, particularly music and dance. She loved nothing better than to dancing, and would enthusiastically encourage her family to join her.

In later years, she gained great enjoyment from membership of the Saint Gerard’s senior citizens club.

She attended the Birches day care centre for a time, and for the last three and a half years, resided in Dealgan nursing home, where the care and attention she received was second to none.

She was predeceased by her husband, George in 1997; sister, Rosaleen; brother, Dermot, and her parents.

Her passing is deeply regretted by her daughters, Vera, Saint Oliver Plunkett Hospital; Patricia, Manchester; Miriam, Australia; sons, Brendan, Dundalk; John and George, both Newry; sister, Doris, Drogheda; brothers, Fintan, Drogheda and Brendan, Duleek; sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great–grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends.

After reposing at the Oratory Chapel in Dealgan House, Maeve’s remains were removed to Saint Joseph’s Church, Castletown.

Requiem Mass was celebrated by Father Vinod Thennattil CC, who gave the eulogy.

Maeve’s grandchildren brought up the gifts symbolising her life and ahe Offertory gifts, and led the Prayers of the Faithful. Brendan shared a reflection on his mother’s life after Holy Communion. The music was provided by organist, Olivia Finnegan and singer, Roisin Crawley.

Burial took place in Saint Patrick’s cemetery, Dowdallshill.