Betty left behind a wonderful legacy of a large, loving family
Betty Bailey 1920-2018
BETTY Bailey (nee MacNamee), Chapel Street, Dundalk, who died last month, left behind the wonderful legacy of a large loving family with three generations of descendants including eight children, 25 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren – many living in the Dundalk area.
She was a kind, gentle and serene lady who lived her life with great dignity, always doing the right thing, being honest, non-judgmental and never speaking ill of anyone. She was a great listener and confidant.
Betty passed away peacefully in her 98th year on 14 January, 2018, in the tender care of St Francis Nursing Home, Mount Oliver, where she had been in residence for the final seven months of her long life.
Betty was born to Patrick and Minnie MacNamee, and raised in Knockbridge where she lived the country village life as one of two girls in a house with seven brothers.
There they owned the village pub and shop, and a small farm. Throughout her teenage years she helped out in the pub and shop.
She was particularly close to her only sister Breda (Larney) who passed away in 1998. She was the last of her siblings, having outlived them all.
Betty attended schools in Knockbridge and Dundalk and studied music, graduating in 1940 as a Licentiate of the London College of Music and became a piano teacher.
In 1943 she achieved a higher qualification to become an instructor of piano teachers. She was the organist in St Mary’s church in Knockbridge for several years and she also played in the Church of The Immaculate Conception in Louth Village.
She cycled the country roads far and wide from her home in Knockbridge, teaching music until she bought a Ford Model T car in 1948 and was one of the first lady car owners in Ireland. She also obtained a license to taxi; a rarity in its day.
Betty played camogie for Knockbridge and supported her brothers who played football for St Bride’s GFC. In the 1930’s, MacNamee’s loft was used for changing, and Betty and her mother were often left with twenty football kits to wash and iron as their contribution to the club.
During the First World War she joined the Red Cross and became an Auxiliary nurse and gained skills she didn’t realise at the time would be much-needed in later life raising her family.
She married Cathal Bailey from Dundalk in 1950 and lived on the Point Road, Dundalk, before finally moving to Chapel Street in 1962.
As was quite common at the time, she went on to have eight children in twelve years. They were tough years but Betty rose with dignity to the challenges of feeding and clothing her offspring.
She baked and cooked and became an accomplished seamstress. She knitted, sewed, made and mended and sent her children out in style.
These years passed and with the family reared, life improved for Betty and Cathal and they enjoyed 20 great years before he died at the relatively young age of 66 in 1988.
They travelled the world, to Australia, USA and Europe and rejoiced in the happiness and marriages of their children and the arrival of the first grandchildren.
Since his death 30 years ago, Betty had been held in the loving embrace of her large and ever-growing family. She loved outings and never declined an invitation to lunch.
She lived independently and had an active mind, reading the Irish Independent and doing daily crossword until just two years ago.
Betty had great faith and prayed every day. She was a daily mass-goer and could be seen, always wearing her hat and walking the short distance from her home in Chapel Street to St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Betty is survived by sons Eoghan, Pat, Joe and Clem, daughters Frances McKenna, Breda McCourt, Catherine Gray and Helen Lane (Australia), daughters-in-law, sons-in law, sister-inlaw Mary MacNamee (Dublin), grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
After reposing at her home, Betty was carried on foot by her family to St Patrick’s Cathedral, a fitting tribute to the journey she had so often made herself.
Her requiem mass was celebrated by Fr Brian Slater who gave the eulogy, Fr Mark O’Hagan ADM and Fr Fergus Breslan, and it drew a very large attendance.
Gifts symbolising her life were brought to the altar by grandchildren Katie and Eugene Bailey and great-grandsons Ciaran Bailey and Joseph Green.
The readings were given my grandchildren Alan Bailey and Sarah O’Hanlon. Prayers of the faithful were led by granddaughters Rachel Walsh, Linda Bailey, Maeve Green, Ciara Bailey and Jenny Gray. Her son Eoghan shared a recollection of her life.
Beautiful music, including Betty’s favourite hymns, was provided by soloist Sarah McCourt and organist Brendan McCourt.
Burial took place in St Patrick’s Cemetery where a final moving poem was read by granddaughter Emer McCullen.
Month’s Mind Mass takes place at 11.30 on Sunday 18 February, 2018 in St Patrick’s Cathedral.