TUBBERCURRY
TERESA KELLY, RATHSCANLON
The peaceful death occurred on January 18 last of Teresa Kelly, Rathscalon, Tubbercurry.
In her early 80s, Teresa was part of the Tubbercurry Community for nearly 60 years, after moving to Rathscanlon in 1963 on her marriage to Bertie. A native of Montiagh, Curry, Teresa never forgot her roots and retained many friendships throughout her life in the Curry community.
Her late husband Bertie was a native of Strokestown and was a progressive young manager at the prize-winning Rathscanlon Creamery. However, Bertie died tragically following a work-related accident in 1969, just before Teresa’s 30th birthday.
Left with two young children to rear on her own, Teresa rose to the challenge magnificently and the work ethic instilled in her by her parents was always to the fore. She started taking in guests on a short-term basis, many of them young people who were commencing work in the expanding Basta, Tool and Gauge and North Connacht Farmers enterprises. Many of these lodgers stayed for a number of years with Teresa, and often considered her a type of second mother. Many of her guests from the 1970s and 1980s stayed in touch with her over the decades and considered her a true friend.
As well as keeping guests, for decades Teresa also did daily dinners for dozens of patrons who were working locally. Furthermore, as the tourism business developed for national and international guests from the 1980s Teresa developed her bed and breakfast business, and her home ‘Pine Lodge’ was a destination for hundreds of guests annually, where her charm and attention to detail was a great marketing tool for Irish hospitality.
Despite working long hours and rearing two children magnificently, Teresa still found time to make new friends and partake in and support all community activities.
A chance meeting with Teresa on any given day was a joy for everybody, such was her generosity of spirit and positive attitude to life’s challenges. Her glass was always half full rather than half empty, and on leaving her after a chat, everybody else also regarded their glass full.
Over the last few years, despite health challenges, she still loved to get out to meet her friends and acquaintances, and often sat in her porch or front garden waving to, or chatting passers by. Her garden and glass house was a treasure to her.
Teresa’s funeral Mass took place in St John Evangelist Church, Tubbercurry and burial afterwards in Rhue Cemetery with her husband Bertie.
Teresa is survived by her son Bertie, daughter Mary, daughterin-law Nicola, grandchildren Orla and Eoin, cousins and wide circle of great neighbours and friends.
May she rest in peace.
BRIGID QUINN, CLOONCAGH
The recent death occurred of Brigid Attracta Quinn, late of Clooncagh, Tourlestrane, in her 99th year, ‘Baby’ as she was affectionately known was a native of Annagh, Tourlestrane, and just moved a mile over the road on marrying her husband Patrick James over 75 years ago.
A mother of 11 children, she was pre-deceased by her husband Patrick James, daughter Myra and sons Tommy, Joe and Nathy.
She is survived by children Seán (USA), Padraic (Dublin), Celine (USA), Hughie (USA), Alphie (USA), Joe (Clooncagh), Tony and Ann (USA) many in laws, grandchildren, great-grand children, nephews, nieces, all to whom sympathy is extended.
Her funeral Mass took place in St Attracta’s Church, Tourlestrane and burial was in Rhue Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
PAULINE MAGEE (CHAPMAN)
The recent death occurred in Melbourne, Australia of Pauline Magee (née Chapman).
Pauline was a native of Tullinaglug, Toulestrane and was in her mid 60s.
She attended Banada Abbey Secondary School from 1968 1973 and then moved away from the West for employment and life opportunities.
Pre-deceased by her parents Mary and Ron Chapman, she is survived by her husband and children in Melbourne and by her brother Kenneth here in Ireland.
May she rest in peace.
JAMES CALVEY, DRIMINA
The recent peaceful death occurred of Jim Calvey, Drimina, Toulestrane, Aged 83, Jim was active till shortly before his death, and his busy schedule of work suggested a man of a much younger age.
Originally from the Cloonacool area, Jim like a lot of his generation went to work in England as a young man in the mid-1950s. After spending a number of years in England he decided Ireland was the place for him and he returned in the mid-60s for a better lifestyle.
He married Ethel in 1970, and they celebrated their Golden Jubilee last September with family and friends. While running his farm of cattle and sheep, Jim also worked in Basta for a number of years, which was a great employer in Tubbercurry and South Sligo in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Jim was an excellent button accordion player, and socialised regularly in Tubbercurry, with Killorans Traditional Lounge being one of his favourite venues, this despite the fact that Jim never drank alcohol. Coca-Cola was good enough for him. He was also an excellent card player, and the 25 card games in Cloonacool, Kilmactigue and Tubbercurry were never complete without Jim.
In his later years, his grand children gave him great joy, and he always enjoyed teaching them the details of farming and country life, and he was a true family man.
Jim’s funeral Mass took place in St Attracta’s Church, Tourlestrane and burial took place in Rhue Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Ethel, son James, daughter Dympna, daughter-in-law Aideen, sonin-law Peter, grandchildren, sister, nieces, cousins and many friends, all to whom sympathy is extended.
May he rest in peace.
COVID ACTIVITIES
The present Covid Lockdown presents many challenges for people, and boredom can be a problem for those off work and who cannot go about their normal work and activities.
While group activities cannot be organised at present, it is a good idea for people to do some community work on an individual basis.
This can take the form of litter picking, hedge or grass trimming or weed picking as you take your daily exercise and fresh air. Flower planting could also be done. Country roads, laneways and hedges are unfortunately pickled with litter and it would be a good idea if this litter was gathered this spring prior to new growth of grass and weeds covering them over again.
Think about this suggestion, and talk to your friends and neighbours about doing it on an organised individual basis. Just a thought.