Maureenwasloving, selflessandhatedfuss
MAUREEN Messitt (nee Kavanagh) was born on May 12, 1929, and lived all of 88 years in Shankill. Maureen was the last of a family of five Kavanagh children, brought up in a time when Shankill was a backwater with a few hundred souls.
She died peacefully at home in Assumpta Park on August 4, surrounded by her loving family.
During her early life she was known for working hard and was employed in a few different factories in Bray, notably Solus. She met Bertie Messitt in the early ’50s, romance blossomed and they were married.
Maureen was determined, energetic, loving, impatient, selfless and hated fuss. She was not frightened to say things as she saw them.
She is one lady who will be missed by not only her children, but everyone whose lives she touched. Maureen was a very sensitive and compassionate person. She loved her family and friends very dearly.
She shared a love for sport with her beloved husband Bertie, was an avid Bray Wanderers and Ireland supporter and she was convinced that the famous footballer Lionel Messi is a distant relation of the family... (He’s not).
She loved walking Bray’s promenade, meeting up with friends and attending bingo in the locality.
During her best years she was always busy, looking after a growing family while acclaimed athlete Bertie was competing all over Europe. She had six children and loved being at home with them. Maureen had more than her share of tragedy, laying her infant son John to rest on Christmas Eve in 1969. The last few years were particularly hard for Maureen, recently losing her beloved husband Bertie and, more recently, her brother Maurice, as well as her brother Tommy and sisters Lilly and Agnes in past years.
Her love for her family and her very strong belief in God somehow gave her the strength not only to go on but to live and love life to the full.
She was very house-proud. No sooner had she re-decorated the whole house but she’d start at the first room again. She had a great sense of fun and mischief. She loved Halloween. She used to dress up herself and she would turn the tables on the visiting kids by hiding and scaring them and instead of giving the traditional apples and nuts, and she made up a lollipop tree for the little ghouls.
She loved entertaining and often hosted tea parties for her numerous friends. She was always willing to help her friends with their kids or any other task they needed.
She was always fiercely proud of Shankill. Over the past few years she was very proud to present the medals to the kids at the Bertie Messitt’s Champion’s League tournament held in Shanganagh Park.
She took part in many mini marathons, always thoroughly enjoying the event. In the early years of Shankill Youth Club, she took an active role in all the activities going on. She loved her shopping trips to Dublin and years ago to Jonesborough in Newry and her frequent trips to Knock with the parish of Shankill. She was delighted to hear everything her grandchildren did and she treated them all the same way, no one better that the other, no favourites.
In her later life, Maureen was unfortunate to have her share of illnesses.
No matter what challenges or sickness she faced, she’d greet people with a smile and tell them she was ‘great’ when asked how she was.
A friend once described Maureen as ‘ the woman with nine lives’, and that’s the most fitting description of her. The family were amazed by the way she always seemed to rise above her suffering. Despite the obvious pain she was in, she was never one to take to the bed; she always got up early in the morning and made her way to her chair in the kitchen, no matter what. In fact, throughout all her recent illnesses she only spent one day – her last – in bed. She will be sadly missed by everyone.
Her memory will live on in all of their hearts forever.
‘ Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear’ (unknown). RELATIVES and friends of the late Mary J Kavanagh gathered to say their final farewell following her death on June 22.
Mary was a native of Ballyguile Mor, Wicklow town, and passed away following illness, bravely borne, at the age of 73.
Daughter of the late Josephine and Charles and elder sister to Katherine, Mary was loved by her extended family and respected by all who knew her.
She attended school in the local convent and vocational school and later went to work in Dublin as a book-keeper.
Mary spent the majority of her career working in Daf Motors - OHM Group and lived in Ballsbridge with Katherine, who also worked in the capital.
Mary remained fond of her native Wicklow and returned to the family home every weekend throughout her working life.
Once she retired eight years ago, Mary relocated permanently and enjoyed this time of her life.
Mary was an active member of both the
Wicklow Historical
Society and Wicklow
Pioneer Association.
Through her work with these groups she made many friends and, through the Pioneer Association in particular, organised various social occasions and dances.
She also organised an annual pilgrimage to Knock and this was an event Mary was involved with for over 30 years, together with the annual pilgrimage to
Our Lady’s Island.
Mary was a gifted artist and was a member of a local art group which gathered weekly at the Dominican Convent to paint.
Her creativity didn’t end there either, as Mary was accomplished in the art of calligraphy and had beautiful handwriting. She also completed various calligraphy courses over the years.
Described as a lady who was always busy Mary, is sadly missed by all who knew her, particularly her loving sister Katherine.
Funeral mass was celebrated at St Patrick’s Church on June 26 followed by interment in Rathnew Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.