Religionplayedimportant partinDeirdre’slife
THE death has taken place on 5 February, 2018 of Deirdre Casey, 21 Beech Park, Blackrock, a lady whose affable nature allowed her to make friends easily.
She was also an animal lover in whose life religion played an important part.
Aged 57, Deirdre was originally from Dromalane Park, Newry, one of eight children of William and Ellen Elliott.
She received her education in St. Mary’s, Newry, and subsequently worked locally in Stark Brothers.
Deirdre had been living in Dundalk for the last 35 years, following her marriage to Paul Casey on 23 July, 1983.
Twenty-three of those years were spent in the employment of Horseware, where her friendly demeanour was recalled by many of the foreign members of staff whom Deirdre made feel welcome on their arrival.
Indeed, she had an ability to make friends with strangers she encountered on the street.
Deirdre was an ardent supporter of Manchester Utd. and, with encouragement from Paul, ‘ converted’ to rugby.
She was a keen badminton and tennis player in her younger years, with the talent to go much further, particularly in badminton.
Deirdre played badminton with Oriel Harriers and tennis in the Dundalk club on The Ramparts.
She was an animal lover, with a passion for dolphins. One of the highlights of her life was getting to swim with dolphins on holiday in Portugal.
Deirdre was also an avid collector of dolphin figurines.
Religion played a big part in her life, and one of her proudest moments was when Paul was ordained into the Catholic Church as a permanent Deacon, on 14 September, 2014.
Deirdre was diagnosed in 2015 with kidney disease, a condition which rapidly deteriorated into kidney failure.
She received excellent care from Dr. Declan De Freitas and the renal unit in Beaumont Hospital, the Beacon unit in Drogheda for dialysis, Dr. Thornton and his team in Beaumont, and from her own GP Dr. Shane Gleeson.
Deirdre was predeceased by her parents, sisters, Mary and Dolores; and brothers, William and Edward.
She is survived by her husband, Paul; brothers, P. J. and Gerry; sister, Helen; sisters-in-law, Patricia Mullen, Ada Elliott, Tracy Elliott, Mary Casey and Teresa Casey; brothers-in-law, Séamus Casey, Francis Casey, Gerard Casey and Pat Mullen; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
After reposing at home, Deirdre’s remains were removed to St. Oliver Plunkett Church where the funeral Mass was concelebrated by parish priest Fr. Pádraig Keenan, Fr. Brian White and Fr. Dermot Maloney, assisted by Deacons Dermot Clarke, Philip Carder, Malachy McElmeel, Andy Brady and David Durrigan.
Readings were given by god-daughters, Edel Mullen and Olivia Elliott; and prayers of the faithful led by Tracy Elliott, Séamus Casey and Gillian Gordon.
Gifts symbolising Deirdre’s life were brought forward by Barry Mullen, Emma Elliott and Gerard Casey. These included a dolphin figurine, a picture of her favourite cat and a book on dialysis.
Her brothers, P. J. and Gerry participated in the offertory procession.
At the end of the service a eulogy was read by Patricia Mullen.
Music was provided by soloist Carmel Rice.
Burial took place afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Dundalk.