Patricia was devoted to her family
THE death occurred of Patricia McCague (née McAleenan), Rock Road, Blackrock, on 2 May, 2018, surrounded by her loving family, in Cork University Hospital, following a short illness.
Patricia was born on 3 July, 1938 in Kircubbin, County Down, to parents Patrick from Castlewellan, County Down and Mary McAleenan (née Murphy) from Kenmare, County Kerry.
The youngest of five children, Patricia undertook her primary education in Kircubbin, where her parents ran the local school.
Her father, Patrick, was also the organist in the parish Catholic Church and as a child, Patricia learned piano and Irish dancing.
A talented pianist, she studied with renowned Belfast-based teacher, Bertram Jones, to Diploma level.
Following her second level education at Saint Dominic’s Grammar School in Belfast, she read Music and Irish at Queen’s University, graduating with Honours.
Patricia went on to study for a Higher Diploma in Education and qualified as a second level teacher in these two subjects.
She began her teaching career in Saint Columba’s College in Portaferry, before moving to Saint Dominic’s Grammar School in Belfast.
In 1973, Patricia moved to Dundalk where her sister, Elizabeth Kilgallen, was already an esteemed teacher of Music, English and French at Saint Vincent’s Secondary School, and she too joined the staff there.
A much loved and highly respected teacher, Patricia took her role as an educator very seriously, sharing her great love of music with her students.
She was compassionate and caring and always saw the best in every student.
In addition to teaching for the State examinations, Patricia also looked after the music for school Masses and public events and accompanied students on piano for Inter/Junior and Leaving Certificate Practical exams, often taking extra rehearsals in her own time to ensure high standards at all times.
Patricia met her late husband, Hugh McCague, a respected Maths and Irish teacher at Coláiste Rís and fiddler with the popular local group Glasheen, at a dance at the Ballymascanlon Hotel.
They married on 28 December, 1978 and went on to have two daughters, Mary and Catherine.
Following Mary’s birth, Patricia took a break from teaching to rear her family, during which time, she fostered a love of music and books in her children.
As a family, they went on annual holidays to Salthill, Galway, and this tradition continued even after the children were grown up, with Patricia’s last break in Salthill being in January 2018.
Family meant everything to Patricia. She was modest, yet quietly proud and always selfless in everything she did; once her family was happy, Patricia was happy.
Music was hugely important in the home and Patricia started Mary and Catherine off on the piano at the age of three, before taking them for an audition with internationally renowned pianist, John O’Conor at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
When they were accepted by Dr. O’Conor, she and Hugh drove the girls every week to Dublin for their piano and music theory lessons, as well as all around the country to take part in music festivals.
The recently deceased Reverend Father Brendan McNally also used to call weekly to the home to teach the girls violin.
For many years, Patricia accompanied Father McNally’s students on a voluntary basis for music festivals and examinations, offering her home up as a rehearsal venue in the lead up to these occasions.
When Hugh was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1992 and forced to take early retirement from Coláiste Rís, Patricia returned to Saint Vincent’s Secondary School.
She strove to hide the worst of Hugh’s illness from her children, and kept home life as normal as possible, still managing to ferry the girls to their music lessons and competitions.
She cared lovingly for Hugh for as long as possible in the home, but when this eventually became too much, visited him regularly in Moorehall Lodge Nursing Home, Ardee.
Following Hugh’s death in 2001, Patricia took early retirement from Saint Vincent’s.
On her retirement, she loved nothing more than to frequent her favourite coffee shops at lunch-time for a cappuccino and scone. A lady of great faith, with particular devotion to Our Lady, she also attended daily Mass.
When both her daughters married and ended up living down in Cork, Patricia began to spend more and more time in the south of the country and loved to travel to gigs and events with her daughter Mary, who is a professional musician.
Patricia discovered a whole new lease of life when her grandchildren, Brian, Ciara, Emma and Fiona were born and was a devoted grandmother to them, always surprising them with little thoughtful treats. They loved her back in equal measure.
Following a bad fall in November 2016, which saw her spend two months in hospital, Patricia’s mobility was affected and she relocated permanently to Cork, living between Mary and Catherine’s homes in Kinsale and Carrigaline, respectively.
While she missed her home in Blackrock, she loved being so close to her daughters and grandchildren.
Following a number of hospital visits since October 2017, Patricia contracted pneumonia in April 2018 and despite a valiant battle, she passed away very peacefully in Cork University Hospital in the presence of her loving daughters and their husbands, Fintan and Seán in the early hours of 2 May.
Patricia is survived by her beloved daughters Mary (Ryan) and Catherine (Doherty), her cherished grandchildren, Brian, Ciara, Emma and Fiona, brothers Seán (Belfast) and Frank (Downpatrick), sisters-in-law, Nuala and Patsy, sons-in-law, Fintan and Seán, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Mary, her brother, Brian (Ballycastle), brother-in-law Liam Kilgallen, sister-in-law Mary McAleenan and sister Elizabeth Kilgallen.
Removal took place from the family home to Saint Oliver Plunkett’s Church, Blackrock on 4 May for Prayers.
Music was provided by the Blackrock Church Choir, for whom Mary played the organ for 15 years before moving to Kinsale.
Requiem Mass was in Saint Oliver Plunkett’s Church, Blackrock on 5 May and was celebrated by Father Pádraig Keenan.
Mary and Catherine used a number of symbols at the start of Mass to describe their mother’s special qualities of kindness, caring and generosity, as well as her great faith, and their immense love for her.
Catherine played Ag Críost an Síol on the violin at the Offertory and Mary played The Coolin at the Reflection.
The music was otherwise provided by soprano, Emer Barry and harpist, Aisling Ennis, who, along with Mary, are members of classical crossover group, Affinití.
Patricia’s niece Patricia Kilgallen and nephew, Niall McAleenan read the first two readings. Prayers of the Faithful were read by Patricia’s grandson, Brian (6), sons-in-law, Fintan Ryan and Seán Doherty, nephew, Éamonn Kilgallen and Fintan’s mother, Jacqueline Ryan.
The Offertory gifts were brought up by nephew, Liam Kilgallen and niece, Mary Corrigan. The touching Communion
Reflection was read by niece, Anne Kilgallen. Patricia was interred next to her beloved Hugh in Saint Fursey’s Cemetery, Haggardstown.
The family would like to thank everyone who sent messages of sympathy, called to the house, attended the Requiem Mass or helped in any way.
The month’s mind Mass took place in Saint Oliver Plunkett’s Church, Blackrock on Sunday 27 May at 12 noon.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.