Bernadette had a generous, vivacious, talkative and humorous personality

BERNADETTE Cosgrove, formerly of Oaklawns, Saint Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, died peacefully on August 29 in Quaterira, Portugal after suffering a major heart attack.

She had lived for the last 13 years in Portugal, and prior to that for a short while in Spain, after growing up and working in Dundalk.

She was daughter of the late Leo and Kathleen Cosgrove. Her father was a member of the Garda Siochana, who served in Dundalk, and her mother a teacher.

Bernie was born in Mullingar and was the fourth child of nine in the family - five sons and four daughters.

She received her education at Castletown Girls School and Saint Vincent’s Secondary School where she completed her Leaving Certificate. The nuns who taught her attended her wake and fondly remembered her bubbly character.

She went to work in Leavy’s chemist, where she was employed in the optician department.

The travel bug hit Bernie and, with a few friends, Deirdre McCaughey, Vicky McLearnan and Rosie Duffy, she headed off to America, and stayed in New York for a couple of years, where she learned the words of “The Streets of New York” which was to become her party piece, always sung with gusto and accompanied by a pointed finger!

She returned to Dundalk and took up employment with Stribel, the former car components factory in the Finnabair Industrial Estate.

She also worked in National Pen, before setting off for Spain, from where she moved to Portugal, and the Algarve, residing five minutes away from the popular tourist resort of Vilamoura.

Bernie was a member of the local girl guides as she grew up in town. She was also a member of the Gaelic League and attended their meetings every week.

She had a great love for the Irish language and frequented the Gaeltacht in Ranafast and Clare Island over five consecutive years, having won scholarships at the time, through Dundalk Milk Products.

She loved music especially Barry Manilow and The Drifters. She also enjoyed movies and dancing, and used to dance in Tivoli’s night club and the Fairways Hotel.

Bernie followed Liverpool FC, and was an avid supporter of Dundalk, who attended Lilywhites games, and developed friendships with Tommy McConville RIP, Jimmy Dainty and Martin Lawlor, during the success-laden years when Jim McLaughlin was manager.

She remained a passionate and committed follower of the club, and regularly rang home to find out the results.

Bernie was also a big dog lover, lavishing affection on her dog Bainne Bain. She also freely shared what little she might have with those less fortunate, summing up the loving, generous person that she was.

Poignantly, she was thinking of moving home this month to pursue a job in Paypal, being fluent in Portuguese.

She collapsed in her apartment on August 18, and died 11 days later in hospital.

The suddenness of her death, coupled with her generous, vivacious, talkative and humorous nature, made it heart-breaking for her family, and her passing leaves a deep void in all their lives, especially her sister Karen, with whom she had a very close relationship.

She was popular with friends and all who knew her, thanks to a ‘what you see, is what you get’ personality.

The large turnout of old friends and acquaintances at her wake was testament to the high esteem she was held in by all who knew her.

Her passing is deeply regretted by her siblings, Leo, Dundalk; Mary, London; Noel, Dublin; Karen, Castlebellingham; Martin, Cavan; Gearóid, Dundalk; Padraic, Carrickmacross and Michele, New Jersey; her partner Paulino; brothers-in-law, sisters-inlaw, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends.

Bernie was flown home and reposed at her sister Karen’s home at Castlebellingham, before being removed to Saint Joseph’s Redemptorist Church.

Father Padraig Keenan PP, Haggardstown and Blackrock, a friend of the family, celebrated Requiem Mass during which he gave the eulogy.

Nephew, Conor Tobin and niece, Nicole Cosgrove presented the gifts at the altar that symbolised her life, which included her glasses, pictures of her family and her dog, and a Dundalk FC flag. They also brought up the Offertory gifts.

The Readings were given by niece, Liane Cosgrove and nephew, Eoghan Cosgrove. The Prayers of the Faithful were led by Aoife, Sorcha, Daragh, Niamh and Naoise.

Tenor David Martin, a close friend, along with Bernie’s nephew and niece, Karl and Nicole, provided the music.

Her nephew, Laurence Goodman read a reflection after communion.

Bernie was then taken, as was her wish, to be buried alongside her parents in St. Killian’s Cemetery, Mullagh, Co. Cavan.

Her farewell was a fitting celebration of her life, her favourite song “The Streets of New York” played at the graveside, followed by music and song at a reception afterwards for family and friends.

Month’s Mind Mass is on Sunday, October 2 at 12.30pm in Saint Joseph’s Redemptorist Church.