Gilliewasaveryreligiouslady
GILLIE Callan, 103 Pearse Park, Dundalk, who has died, was one of the town’s oldest residents.
Aged 94, she passed away peacefully on 5 January, 2019, surrounded by her family in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
Gillie had only recently taken ill and went into hospital on New Year’s Eve.
She was born in Camp Street, Dundalk, the youngest of eight children of Richard and Roseanne Stewart, and was the last surviving of her two sisters and five brothers.
After attending Castletown Girls School, Gillie looked after children for a time.
She met and married at a young age Jimmy Callan. He passed away six years ago, at which time they had been married for 70 years.
Gillie and Jimmy were always together, and after raising their own family, they loved going around visiting their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren, who, in turn, all loved to see Gillie and Jimmy call around.
Indeed, they were great parents who lived for their family.
Gillie and Jimmy also enjoyed watching television.
A very religious lady, she had a great devotion to St Brigid and Our Lady, and often visited St Brigid’s Shrine in Faughart.
Gillie was predeceased by her parents; husband, Jimmy; daughters, Rose and Elsie; sons, Thomas, who died in infancy, and Paul; grandsons, Thomas, Richard and Stephen; son-inlaw, Kevin; sisters, Sue and Rosie; and brothers, Willie, Tommy, Johnny, Dick and Harry.
She is survived by her sons, Willie, Séamus and Dickie; daughter, Phyllis; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-greatgrandchildren; daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
After reposing at home, her remains were removed to St Patrick’s Cathedral where the funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Mark O’Hagan and Fr Seán McArdle, a family friend.
There was a great turnout, including many of Gillie’s old neighbours from Pearse Park where she lived for 68 years.
Some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren carried the coffin out of the house, while Gillie’s six grand-daughters took the coffin up to in front of the altar.
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren did the readings and prayers of the faithful. They also brought up symbols of Gillie’s life including a St Brigid’s Cross, prayer book and a picture.
Daughters-in-law, Patricia and Marian participated in the offertory procession.
Mary O’Hanlon sang beautifully.
Burial took place afterwards in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Dowdallshill.
Gillie’s Month’s Mind Mass takes place at 11.30am on Sunday, 10 February in St Patrick’s Cathedral.