Bettywasdeeply religiouswith strongdevotions
BETTY McNally, Beechmount Drive, Dundalk, who died peacefully in the Mater Private Hospital on 24 October, was a deeply religious lady, and loyal supporter of the Fianna Fail party.
A devoted wife and mother, she also had time for others, and was very much involved in her community.
Originally from O’Hanlon Park, she was a daughter of the late Laurence and Elizabeth Duffy.
Betty started working in P. J. Carroll’s before moving to DkIT, and never missed a day during her 33 years there.
She was married for 51 years to her husband, Joe; and they had four children.
Betty and her family have a long association with the Church, supporting the priests and nuns in the parish.
She had a great devotion to Our Lady and Padre Pio, and visited Lourdes, Knock, Fatima, San Giovanni and Poland.
She brought back medals and religious objects from all the places she visited, giving them to those in need in nursing homes and hospitals.
Indeed, she was a great support to the sick, visiting and writing letters to them; and was a loyal friend to everyone.
She valued her friends, and they could always depend on her.
What’s more, she was never one to forget a birthday, and would also send postcards from her travels around the world.
A loyal and faithful member of Fianna Fail, Betty was held in high esteem by the party; and canvassed tirelessly at elections.
She laid a wreath every year at the Republican plot in Dowdallshill cemetery, and this year also laid a wreath in Knockbridge.
Betty was a great fundraiser for many organisations, and Crumlin Hospital in Dublin; and a keen supporter of local football teams.
She was a member of the Order of Malta, and attended their 60th anniversary celebrations in 2012.
Betty is survived by her husband, Joe; daughter, Fiona; sons, Niall and Darragh; brother, Brendan Duffy; son-in-law, Brian; grandchildren, Fergal, Dearbhla, Rachel and Conor.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Siobhan; sisters, Geraldine and Rose; as well as her parents.
Her remains were removed from McGeough’s funeral home, where the Philip Daly Fianna Fail Cumann formed a guard of honour, to St. Joseph’s Church, Fatima.
Again, cumann members formed a guard of honour, and carried the coffin into the church.
Fr. Sean McGuigan officiated at the funeral Mass and gave the homily. He was assisted by Fr. Paul Montague.
Gifts symbolising Betty’s life were brought to the altar by her daughter, Fiona.
Treasured friends, former TD, Seamus Kirk and Kathleen Malone, gave the first and second readings respectively.
Prayers of the faithful were led by grand-daughters, Dearbhla and Rachel; Kathleen Clarke, Ann McKeown and daughter, Fiona. Grandsons, Conor and Fergal participated in the offertory procession. Music was provided by Sarah and Brendan McCourt. A guard of honour was formed by the Philip Daly Cumann as Betty’s coffin was taken to the adjoining cemetery for burial.
The large attendance at the funeral was indicative of the esteem in which she was held.
The Month’s Mind Mass will take place on Sunday, 27 November at 12 noon in St. Joseph’s Church, Fatima.