Thomasafamilyman
THOMAS Power (Tomas) passed peacefully away on Monday, February 6, in his 80th year, surrounded by his loving family.
Second in a family of nine children born to Tom and Kathleen Power Clongaddy, Kilmore, on July 15, 1937, St Swithin’s Day, he dedicated himself to farming in the same community all his life.
Thomas and his wife, Alice, (nee Rossiter) were married for 54 years and had three children, as the years went by they warmly welcomed their six grandchildren.
In addition to pigs, cattle and sheep farming, his big loves were horses and horse racing.
During the season, he and Alice would head off to every race meeting; he had a dream to find that horse, The One, that was Solwhit.
Solwhit as part of the Top of the Hill Syndicate started to fulfil his dream by winning his first Grade 1 race in Aintree in April 2009 followed by another seven grade 1 wins throughout his racing career. Despite receiving seriously challenging news about his personal health, there was no stopping Thomas, and the success of Solwhit got him through every stage of his illness.
The biggest climb for both horse and man was conquered that day in March 2013, when Solwhit came up that mighty hill in Cheltenham to win the World Hurdle, the day all of his dreams came true and Thomas remarked that it was a feat ‘once in three lifetimes’.
Thereafter followed trips to Punchestown, Fairyhouse, Leopardstown and Aintree. Thomas never travelled alone as he wanted everybody to enjoy the success of this wonder horse.
Always devoted to his family, the impact he had on others was also evident as the community mourned him and paid tribute to his generosity.
He is sadly missed by his adoring wife, Alice, his sons T. J. and Martin, daughter Paula, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, extended family and wide circle of friends.
His Funeral Mass took place at St Mary’s church Kilmore, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
May he rest in peace SR. Agnes McCormack who died on February 21, was a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and served as Superior of the convent in Bride Street for a total of nine years. Sr. Agnes (89) passed away peacefully in Abbeygale House at Farnogue Nursing Home.
A native of Wexford, she grew up in Spawell Road, a daughter of the late James McCormack who founded McCormack’s chemist in Selskar.
She is survived by her brother Brendan (Ballymitty); by her nieces and nephews; grand nieces and grand nephews; her sisters-inlaw Marthe (South Africa), Aileen (Spawell Road) and Breda (Forth Mountain) and by the members of her community.Sr. Agnes was pre-deceased by her brothers Eamonn, Kevin, Gerard, Aidan, Eoin and Con and by her sister Kathleen.
She joined the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in September 1949 at the age of 21 having worked in the office of Pierces for a time after leaving school. She was educated at the Loreto in Wexford and the Ursuline Convent in Waterford. She played hockey and tennis and was a member of Wexford Harbour Boat Club, sailing with her brothers. Before opting for the contemplative life, she was acquainted with the Adoration community through her cousins Sr. Gerard and Sr. Monica who were in the convent. She made her final vows in April 1955.
Sr. Agnes made vestments, altar cloths and small linens. She was the last surviving member of the congregation to have helped make the hand-stitched vestments for Pope Pius 12th which were presented to him by the Irish Government in 1958 to mark his 80th birthday. The vestments were designed by Fr. Jack Hanlon, a noted artist.
She worked on the change of vestments from Roman (pre-Vatican 11) style to gothic, designing patterns etc. Prior to this, she was involved in gold and hand embroidery.She served as Superior of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for six years from 1989 to 1995 and again from 2001 to 2004.Sr. Agnes was a popular member of the congregation. She was a creative person and in her younger days was a very good painter. An avid reader, she especially enjoyed books on spirituality and philosophy. She promoted Charismatic Renewal from 1972 to 2001.
Her funeral Mass in Bride Street Church was presided over by the Bishop of Ferns, Denis Brennan and was concelebrated by 15 priests The chief concelebrant was Fr. Aodhán Marken.A large number of mourners attended the funeral. Burial took place in the convent cemetery.