Familywasallimportantto much-lovedmother-of-fiveBetty

BETTY Browne, of 70 Cherry Vale, Bay Estate, whose death occurred suddenly on 4 January, 2017, was a lady to whom family was all-important.

She moved from Dublin to live in Dundalk when her husband was one of the first to take up employment in the new AnCo training centre.

Dundalk became the family’s adopted home town, in which the couple and their five children happily settled, but Betty never lost touch with her Dublin roots, and loved all the songs synonymous with her native city.

She led a simple life, the focal point of which was her family, and had a wide network of lasting friends, underlined by all who turned up from near and far to pay their last respects to Betty and show the regard in which they held her.

She made many new friends following the move to Dundalk in 1973, to the new Bay Estate development which was in the early stage of construction, and where a lot of young families had taken up residence.

It was also close to her husband, Mick’s work as an instructor at Coe’s Road where AnCo set up in premises owned by the former shoe manufacturers Clarks. Mick was one of the first four employees in the centre.

Betty happily filled the role of housewife and mother, at which she was a natural, with a great interest in all that was going on in her family’s life, and also in cooking and baking. She put the welfare of her family ahead of her own, and when her grandchildren came along they held a similar place of love in her life. Betty was always eager to know what was happening in their lives.

When the family grew up, she worked for a period of a year in Sloane’s shop on the Avenue Road, where she struck an affinity with customers with her friendly disposition. She had a great sense of humour, and was a very loyal and trustworthy friend, who enjoyed going to bingo.

She also loved music and especially all the Dublin songs which were played at her funeral, with the congregation joining in “Dublin in the Rare Auld Times”, a a lovely tribute to her. Her favourite song “One Day at a Time” was also sung.

Betty had a strong religious faith and always prayed to St. Anthony, St. Brigid and Our Blessed Lady. From Inchicore, she was educated and grew up there. She was daughter of the late Michael and Anne Browne (nee Fox). Great sadness entered her life at age 24 when her father died.

Betty also lost her son Danny when he was aged just 14. He was fatally injured in a hit and run accident in 1984, a short distance from the family home. She was also predeceased by her sister, Molly.

The suddenness of her passing was alleviated somewhat for the family in that they enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with her. Betty visited all their homes, leaving her loved ones with beautiful memories to help them live with their great loss.

She is deeply mourned by her loving husband Mick; sons, Michael, Kilkerley and Neil, Forkhill; daughters, Jackie Lucas and Deirdre Stewart, both Dundalk; sisters, Marie Murphy, Anne Lawlor, Teresa Larkin and Anne Kennedy, all Dublin; sons in-law, John Lucas and Martin Stewart; daughters in-law, Alice and Jenny; grandchildren, Michael, Mark, Lorna-Marie, Stephen, Simon, Sean, Rachel, Conor, Aoife, Gemma, Danny and Ryan; brothers-in law, Philly and Danny Browne, Dublin; sisters in-law, Mary Walsh, Evelyn Brennan, Deirdre Massey, Patricia Massey, all Dublin; nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbours and wonderful friends.

After reposing at her residence, Betty was taken the following afternoon to the Church of The Holy Family for Funeral Mass, celebrated by Father Paddy Stanley SM. Close family members took part in the Mass, including giving the Readings and leading the Prayers of the Faithful, bringing the Offertory gifts to the altar and delivering the eulogy. The music was provided by Olivia Finnegan on the organ and singer, Roisin Crawley.

Burial followed in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Dundalk. Month’s Mind Mass took place on Sunday, 12 February 2017, at 11am in the Church of The Holy Family, Muirhevnamor.