Rosaleenwasquietbynature butwasaverygoodneighbour
ROSALEEN McGarrigle, who died peacefully at her home, 51 Drive One, Muirhevnamór, on 4 September, 2017, was one of the first residents of the estate, and resided there for the last 42 years.
She was a lady whose family was very important to her; and when they came along, her grandchildren and great-grandsons were the focal point of her life.
Her religion was a mainstay, and she was a daily Mass-goer, until no longer able to attend.
Known affectionately by family and friends as Rosh, she hailed from the town’s Quay area, the youngest of five children.
Her parents Patrick and Maryanne McCourt resided at Brown’s Row when she was born, and when she was two, moved the short distance to Saint Joseph’s Park, where Rosh grew up, and attended the Convent School in Mill Street.
Like most people of that era, she went to work as a young teenager, gaining employment in the thriving shoe industry in the nearby Rawson’s factory.
She worked there until she married in 1959. She met Paddy McGarrigle, from Belfast, when he was on holidays in Blackrock.
They moved to England where their first child, Helen was born, but after a year returned to Ireland to Paddy’s native city.
They stayed in Belfast until 1970, completing their family, with the arrival of son, Colin in 1965 and Siobhán, the following year.
Paddy, an electrician, got a job with the well-known local electrical firm of Evan Henry, and the family moved back to Rosh’s roots in the Quay for a while.
Then, when Muirhevnamór opened, they were among the first occupants who moved into Drive One in 1975.
Rosh was quiet by nature, but enjoyed family gatherings and craic. She made close friends in the area and had good neighbours. She in turn was a good neighbour.
When her family reached a certain age, Rosh returned to work in the shoe industry, as a machinist in the American-owned Weyenberg factory on Coe’s Road, from 1976 to 1982.
She was an accomplished housewife and cook, whose gorgeous Sunday dinners were to die for. She also enjoyed knitting.
Her hobbies included gardening. She enjoyed reading and was fond of thriller and detective books, and was an avid reader of newspapers, such was her thirst for knowledge of current affairs.
She also liked music and loved travel, and in latter years, went extensively on holidays and weekend breaks. For any trip there was going, she was delighted to pack her bags.
She visited her son, Colin in America; and enjoyed sun holidays, and short breaks to Poland, Prague and Budapest.
She willingly availed of trips to go away with her sister, organised by the Lions Club for the elderly.
Her main preoccupation, however, was her family, and Rosh took great delight in her grandchildren when they entered her life, followed by two great-grandsons. She took a great interest in what they were doing and was very proud of them.
She was predeceased by husband, Paddy in 2006; and by her brothers, Paddy and Clem; and sister, Maureen.
Her passing is deeply regretted by her family, son, Colin; daughters, Helen and Siobhán, all Dundalk; sister, Peggy McGailey, Boyle O’Reilly Terrace; son-inlaw, Seán; grandchildren, Sarah, Aishling, Paul and Claire; great-grandsons, Robert and Nathan; nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She reposed at her home, before her remains were removed to The Church of The Holy Family, where the funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Frank Corry SM, who delivered the eulogy.
The Readings were given by nieces, Maureen McNulty and Joanne Molloy; while the Prayers of the Faithful were led by nieces, Mary Mulhearn and Ursula Bellew; nephew, Owen McGailey; and grandson, Paul Matthews.
The Offertory gifts were presented by cousins, Margaret and Charlie Molloy.
Beautiful music was provided by Olivia Finnegan and Roisin Crawley.
Burial took place in Saint Patrick’s cemetery, Dowdallshill. Rosaleen’s Month’s Mind Mass is on Sunday, October 8, 2017, in the Church of the Holy Family at 11am.