Pauline who lived for her husband and family was also a tire less fund raiser for the local cancer society
PAULINE Boyle, of 4, Hazel Close, Bay Estate, Dundalk, who died suddenly at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on August 14, was a lady who lived for her husband and children, and gave much of her time and energy to the cancer society, serving for 20 years as the local branch treasurer.
Pauline was born when her parents, Jimmy and Mary Nixon resided in Bachelors Walk. She was the middle child of five, comprising two other daughters, Claire and Colette and two sons, Seamus and Raymond.
Very sadly, Colette, at the age of 16, was fatally injured in a motor cycle accident.
The family moved to Saint Ronan’s Terrace, where Pauline was raised. She received her education in Castletown National School and Saint Louis Convent.
Like many of her generation, she went to work in the town’s shoe industry, gaining employment in Clark’s factory.
Here, she met two lifelong friends in Christine (Chrissy) Farrell and Marian Dooley. Even in recent times, once they would start reminiscing about the old days, they would be in fits of laughter which would bring a smile to anyone that who overheard them.
Pauline became involved in the social activity in the factory, taking part in the variety group that used to compete in the talent contests staged in the town hall, and involving other groups from industries and different parts of the town.
A fateful meeting at a dance in the Derryhale Hotel, resulted in Pauline and Pat Boyle striking up a friendship and subsequently marrying.
Pat, an electrician, was from Dublin Street. The couple lived with Pauline’s father for a year at Saint Ronan’s Terrace, before securing their own home at Hazel Close, Bay Estate, where they raised their two children, Frances and David, and spent all their married life.
Pauline loved walking, and was a familiar figure, with the family’s two dogs, as she followed a daily six- mile route, daily taking in the by-pass.
She was as regular as clockwork, and was known by many who encountered her, as the ‘ lady with the dogs’.
However, she contracted cancer ten years ago, which caused her to curtail her walking.
She instead walked to daily Mass in Saint Joseph’s Redemptorist Church, and afterwards attended the local Curves fitness club, where she struck up a close and dear friendship with Theresa, Olive and Sheila.
She was heavily involved in the Cancer Society before her own illness. She was prompted to start fund raising when a friend’s young daughter was diagnosed with the illness.
Pauline undertook sponsored mini marathons, completing upwards of eight Dublin mini marathons, and became one of the most active and prodigious fund raisers for the society.
She took on the role of treasurer of the Dundalk branch, of the charity, a position she held for over 20 years.
She was a voluntary worker for Pink Ribbon and Daffodil Day, and formed many friendships with people around the town because of her position as treasurer, Frank Duffy to name one, where she was arranging fundraising activities up until the very end.
She also collected most recently for the North Louth Hospice and Home Care Foundation.
A return of the disease, saw her engage in her own courageous and dignified battle over the past year to which she had to finally bow.
Her outgoing and humorous personality, no doubt, helped her and her family to cope, together with her faith as a daily Mass- goer, along with the importance in her life of Bethany House of Prayer, which she attended on Mondays.
The support and comfort provided by her close friends, along with Sisters Jean and Briege, who she befriended in Bethany House, was also of great help to her and her husband Pat, and two children, to whom she dedicated her life.
She also adored her grandchildren, and revelled in the vitality they brought to her home.
Pauline was a very supportive mother, who loved to attend games in which her son, David played for Na Piarsaigh GFC.
She made sure to buy all the local papers, to see if there were any articles on David to include in her scrapbook.
She was a keen viewer of sport on television, enjoying different events, from tennis at Wimbledon to snooker, and especially at the weekends, she loved to watch football and rugby matches with Pat.
Pauline was predeceased by her parents Jimmy and Mary, and sister, Colette. Her passing is very deeply regretted by her husband, Pat;, daughter, Frances; son, David; sister, Claire; , brothers, Seamus and Raymond; , daughter-in-law Mary;, Frances’s partner, Rob; and grandchildren Jake and Emie, brothers and sisters- in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
After reposing at her home from the Wednesday, Pauline’s remains were removed to the Church of The Holy Family, Muirhevnamor on Thursday morning.
Father Paddy Stanley SM, a close friend and confidant, celebrated Requiem Mass and gave a touching eulogy.
Gifts symbolising Pauline’s life were presented at the altar by her close friends, Theresa Kelly, Olive Nash and Sheila Corbally, while the Offertory gifts were brought up by her brother, Seamus and niece Colette Nixon.
The Readings were given by sister-in-law, Frances Deery, and niece, Aishling O’Molloy, while the Prayers of the Faithful were led by daughter-in-law, Mary Boyle, sisters-in-law, Catherine Smyth and Anne McLaren, and close family friend, Barry Teather. The music was provided by Susan Dixon and Olivia Finnegan. Burial took place in Saint Patrick’s cemetery, Dowdallshill.