Condolences on the recent deaths of Valentia Islanders

The Late Oliver Crowley

ON Sunday, July 23, the peaceful death at the age of 82 in St Vincent’ Private Hospital occurred of Oliver Crowley of 53 Merville Road, Stillorgan, Dublin, and formerly of Knightstown, Valentia, who was an employee of the Irish Lights. Following Requiem Mass at the church of St Lawrence O’Toole, Kilmacud, his remains were removed to Glasnevin Crematorium.

Oliver Crowley had strong family connections in the Iveragh area and was always very proud of this genealogy. He loved to visit Valentia, Portmagee and the general Iveragh area to catch up and chat with old and longtime friends as well as young. He also had strong connections in Cork and lived in many coastal environs throughout Ireland as a result of his father’s employment with the Irish Lights.

Sincere condolences are offered to his sister Marie (Good Shepherd sisters), brothers Fr Christopher (Carmelite Order) and John Noel, sisterin-law Margaret, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces and all concerned.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

The Late Marie Orpen

ON Thursday, July 27, the death occurred of Marie Orpen (nee Murphy) of Bere Island and formerly of Knightstown, Valentia Island, who was pre-deceased by her husband Alfie, son Gerard and brother Mike (Sikey).

She was the daughter of Patrick ‘Sikey’ Murphy of Knightstown and Mary O’Shea of Cooil.

She had the unusual disinction of having been born and reared on one Island and subsequently living in and finishing her days in another.

She always liked to keep in touch with her native Valentia Island and the scribe is reliably informed that she was an avid reader of Valentia news in The Kerryman.

Sincere sympathy to her sons Dominic, John, Alfie and James, daughters Carmel and Colleen, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother Johnny(Blackie),sister Patricia and her many relatives and cousins in Valentia and Beara.

Solás and elsewhere. siorai di.

The Late Mary Curran

ON Monday, July 31, the death at the age of 91 occurred in St Anne’s Hospital, Cahirsiveen, of Mary Curran (nee O’Connell) of Reenglass and originally of Corobeg.

Reared in the family farm in Corobeg, she was no stranger to hard work and subsequently reared a large family in Reenglass. She was a hospitable and welcoming homemaker in a truly Irish and Valentia way and she will be sadly missed in the environs of Valentia and outside as she regularly accompanied her husband John Francis in his trusty red Fiesta car .

Sincere condolences are offered to her husband John Francis, sons Johnnie, Jimmy, Patrick, Christy and Michael, daughters Marion, Ann and Veronica, 17 grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters Catherine and Nora, nieces and nephews, in-laws and many friends and neighbours. Solás na bhFlaitheas di.

Footnote:Her eulogy was read at Mass by her grandson Des Curran and Pat Stewart sang the Valenia song Geokaun at the graveside.